LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

i|ap ©op^ri# !f n 

Shelf..U^_3 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



the: 

WORD FOR THE DAY. 




FOR 



EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR. 

0 



Compiled, by A. J. A. R. 



(if 0f)ff6ftB88 
WASHWOTOM 



Copyright, 1886, 
By JOHN IRELAND. 



PREFACE. 



THE "Word for the Day" has been 
compiled with reference to real, every- 
day needs, not fictitious or merely sentimental 
ones. Thus the endeavor has been to touch the 
work a-day Christian life at all possible points; 
to arouse, to strengthen, to comfort the believer 
with germ thoughts from the divine word, and 
their echoes in the human mind. 

Choosing the poetical thoughts here and 
there, with reference chiefly to their carrying 
out or amplifying the topic suggested by the 
Scripture text, it has not always been possible 
to find the authors' names. It was not deemed 
necessary to reject a gem because not labelled 
with the name of the mine from which it was 
taken. 



vi 



PREFACE. 



The blank spaces at the end of the book may 
be utilized as a record of birthdays, and other 
events of personal and family history, or of the 
way in which the reader has carried out the cen- 
tral thought of the selections. It might be 
found profitable also to note briefly actions of 
others which seem to accord with the spirit of 
the topic ; drawing upon history, biography, or 
fiction for illustrations of the special virtues or 
sins mentioned. 

To a fertile mind, many ways will suggest 
themselves of making this book further the end 
that the compiler had in view. That it may 
not " return void," is her earnest and heartfelt 
desire. 

A. J. A. R. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



laitunrg 1. 
Newness of Life. 

Behold, I make all things new. — Rev. 21 : 5. 

Oh, New Year, teach us faith ! 

The road of life is hard : 
When our feet bleed, and scourging winds us 
scathe, 

Point thou to Him whose visage was more 
marred 

Than any man's ; who saith 

" Make straight paths for your feet," and to the 
opprest — 

" Come ye to me, and I will give you rest." 

Miss Mulock. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord God, by the patience 
which Thou hast manifested, by the gentleness 
which we have proved, by the grace which is 
revealed of Thee, and by all that is of goodness 
in Thyself, take charge of us for the year upon 
which we have now entered. We are strangers 
to it ; we do not know one single path. 



8 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



$mttrarg 2. 

Prayer for Guidance. 

I pray thee, . . . shew me now thy way. — Ex. 33 : 13. 

Show me the way above all little aims, 

All foolish sorrows, and belittling pleasures, 
Above small triumphs over little gains, 

Above vain grieving for unworthy treasures — 
Up to those heights where these things seem 
child's play, 

Show me the way. 

Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee, 
for Thou art my God ; teach me to walk before 
Thee in holiness and humility, for Thou art my 
wisdom ; Thou knowest me and all my frailty. 



fmurarg 3. 

Necessity for Zeal. 

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.- 
Eph. 5 : 16. 

Sin worketh, 

Let me work too ; 
Sin undoeth, 
Let me do. 
Busy as sin my work I ply, 
Till I rest in the rest of eternity. 

Bonar. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



9 



When I consider, O Lord, how evil grows and 
sin spreads, make me to arise in terror lest the 
Adversary of souls be more diligent in his work 
than I in mine. 

fmtrmrg 4. 
Love, because Loved. 

This is my commandment , That ye love om an- 
other, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. — JOHN 15 : 12. 
Pour out thy love, like the rush of a river, 
Wasting its waters, forever and ever, 
Through the burnt sands that reward not the 
giver; 

Silent or songful, thou nearest the sea. 
Scatter thy life as the summer shower's pouring ! 
What if no bird through the pearl rain is soar- 
ing? 

What if no blossom looks upward adoring? 
Look to the life that was lavished for thee. 

Rose Terry Cooke. 

O Master, fill me with Thy love. 

The Infinite Father. 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts 
unto your children, how much more shall your 
Father which is in heaven give good things to them 
that ask him. — Matt. 7:11. 

My God, take care of me. 
Pardon and swathe me in an infinite love, 
Pervading and inspiring me, Thy child, 



10 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



And let Thy own design in me work on, 
Upholding the ideal man in me, 

Which, being greater far than I have grown, 
I cannot comprehend. 

George MacDonald. 

We beseech Thee, O Christ, continually to 
strengthen us by a sincere faith in Thee. Amen. . 

famrarg 6. 

Our Refuge. 

The Beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by 
him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day 
long. — Deut. 33 : 12. 

The Father's arms fold like a nest 

His children round about ; 
His face looks down, a heaven of rest, 

Where comes no dark, no doubt. 
Its mists are clouds of stars that move , 

In sweet concurrent strife ; 
Its winds, the goings of his love ; 

Its dew, the dew of life. 

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good 
counsels, and all just works do proceed : give 
unto Thy servants that peace, which the world 
cannot give ; that our hearts may be set to obey 
Thy commandments, and also that by Thee, we, 
being defended from the fear of our enemies, 
may pass our time in rest and quietness. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



11 



lamrarg 7. 
God's Greatness. 

Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord f who 
can show forth all his praise f — Ps. 106 : 2. 

" Lord, Thou art great ! " in nature's every form ; 

Greater in none ; simply most great in all ; 
In tears, and terrors, sunshine, smile and storm, 

And all that stirs the heart, is felt Thy call ; 
" Lord, Thou art great ! " oh, let me praise Thy 
name, 

And grow in greatness, as I Thine proclaim. 

O God, my littleness calls upon Thy greatness 
for help. O give me strength to grow in Thy 
likeness. 

fammrg 8. 
Afflictions Necessary. 

For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the 
children of men. — Lam. 3 : 33. 

Sometime, when all life's lessons have been 
learned, 

And sun and stars forevermore have set, 
The things which our weak judgments here have- 
spurned, 

The things o'er which we grieved with lashes 
wet, 

Will flash before us out of life's dark night, 
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue ; 



12 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



And we shall see how all God's plans are right, 
And how what seemed reproof was love most 
true. 

May R. Smith. 

O Lord, sanctify my afflictions, so that even- 
pang I feel may purify my soul and bring it 
nearer to Thee ; to be made more one with Thee ; 
grant that I may welcome the sufferings which 
will make me more like to Thee. 

Hmumri) 9. 
Love. 

Chanty . . . thinketh no evil. — 1 Cor. 13 : 4, 5. 

The discord is within, which jars 

So sadly in life's song; 
Tis we, not they, who are in fault, 
* When others seem so wrong. 

Faber. 

O most loving Jesus, pattern of charity, who 
makest all the commandments of the law to 
consist in love towards God and towards man, 
grant to us so to love Thee with all our heart, 
with all our mind, and all our soul, and our 
neighbor for Thy sake ; that the grace of charity 
and brotherly love may dwell in us, and all envy, 
harshness, and ill-will may die in us. Amen. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



13 



fmurarg 10. 

All Uses Divine. 

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same 
Spirit. — 1 Cor. 12 : 4. 

Some only work with a cotton thread, 
And sit all day in the weaving room ; 

Some work with the fleecy wool instead, 
And some have the richest silk in loom : 

Wool, cotton or silk, none need to care 

If only the work be good and fair. 

My loving heavenly Father, help me to be so 
earnest, so eager to do well the work which 
Thou hast given me to do, that I shall have no 
moments of envious thought towards the work 
of others of Thy children. 

fatuwg 11. 

This Day. 

Cause me to hear thy loving Mildness in the 
morning ; for in thee do I trust; cause me to 
know the way wherein I should walk ; for I lift 
up my soul unto thee. — Ps. 143 : 8. 

A day is born ! Is born to me. 

I take its veiled face to my breast, 
And dare not ask if it shall be 

A day of quiet, or unrest. 
I only know that I must seek 

Some wisdom other than my own. 



14 



WORD FOE TEE EAT. 



My strength is small : my arms are weak, 
I cannot bear this day alone. 

O Lord, be near to help me. 

tfennarn 12. 

Deeds Better than Words. 

Xot every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven : but he 
that doeth the will of my Father which is in 
heaven. — Matt. 7: 21. 

Be what thou seemest ; live thy creed ; 

Hold up to earth the torch divine ; 
Be what thou prayest to be made ; 

Let the great Master's steps be thine. 

BONAR. 

O Father- 
Help me to know Thy will, 
Help me to love Thy will, 
Help me to do Thy will. 

| a rump 13. 

Our Need of Cleansing. 

W?io can understand his errors ? Cleanse thou 
me from secret faults. — Ps. 19 : 12. 

Best friends might loath us. if what things per- 
verse 

We knew of our own selves, they also knew ; 
Lord. Holy One ! if Thou, who knowest worse 
Shouldst loathe us too ! 

Trench. 



WO BI) FOB THE DAY. 



15 



Cleanse us, we pray Thee, not only from the 
commission of sin, but from the love of sin. 
May we learn so to carry ourselves that with all 
our heart and mind and soul and strength we 
may serve Thee, and serve Thee in the spirit of 
true loving. 

famtHrg 14. 

Prayer for Illumination. 

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold won- 
drous things out of thy law. — Ps. 119 : 18. 

Jesus, do thou mine eyes unseal, 

And let them grow 
Quick to discern whate'er thou dost reveal ; 

So shall I be delivered from that woe, 
Blindly to stray 

Through hopeless night, while all around is 
day. 

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, and the 
brightness of Thy spirit illumine our inward 
souls ; that He may kindle our cold hearts, and 
light up our dark minds, who abideth evermore 
with Thee in glory. 

Imttrarg 15. 
Lukewarmness. 

I know thy works that thou art neither cold 
nor hot ; I would, thou wert cold or hot. — Rev. 
3: 15. 

Lukewarm souls, the foe grows stronger, 
See the host your camp surround ! 



16 



WOMB FOR THE DAY. 



Arm to battle, lag no longer, 

Hark ! the gospel trumpet sounds ! 

Wake, ye sleepers ! wake, what mean you ? 

Sin besets you round about, 
Up and search, the world's within you, 

Slay, or chase the traitor out. 

O God, may our souls be warm with lite. 
Save us from an inanimate and sluggish state. 
Teach us Thy purity ; how great Thy abhor- 
rence of evil, how irreconcilable Thy hatred of 
it ; and may we all partake of the same abhor- 
rence of sin. 

• |;numrir 16. 

False Judgments. 

Tl\e Lord seeth not as man seeth : for man looketh 
on the outward appearance. — 1 Sam. 16 : 7. 

It's no great matter what men deem, 

Whether they count me good or bad ; 
In their applause and best esteem 

There's no contentment to be had. 
Thy steps, Lord, in this dirt I see, 

And lest my soul from God should stray. 
I'll bear my cross and follow Thee, 

Let others choose the fairer way. 

Baxter. 

Let me keep in mind, O Jesus, Thy precept 
and example, by loving mine enemies, by 
patiently suffering wrong, by doing good to 
those that persecute me. by praying for those 
that falsely speak evil against me. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



17 



Jamrarg 17. 
Slander. 

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer 
among thy people. — Lev. 19 : 16. 

If thou giv'st words, 
Dash not with them thy friend, nor heav'n ; 
O smother 

A viperous thought ; some syllables are swords. 
Unbitted tongues are in their penance double ; 
They shame their owners, and their hearers 
trouble. 

Henry Vaughan. 

Set a guard, O Lord, upon my mouth, and 
keep the door of my lips. 

Imuran; 18. 

The Value of Little Things. 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of 
these little ones a cup of cold water only in tit- 
name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall 
in no wise lose his reward. — !Matt. 10 : 42. 

The memory of a kindly word 

For long gone by, 
The fragrance of a fading flower 

Sent lovingly, 
The gleaming of a sudden smile 

Or sudden tear, 



18 



VTOBD FOE THE DAY. 



The warmer pressure of the hand 
Or tone of cheer. 

■fc ♦ ^ & %L 

When the heart is overwrought, 

Oh, who can tell 
The power of such tiny things 

To make it well. 

O Lord, grant that I may be one of whom 
Thou shalt say — 
"Thou hast been faithful over a few things." 

Imranrg 19. 
God Liveth Ever. 
Hast thou not known ? hast thou not heard, that 
the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of tlie 
ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary. — 
Is a. 40 : 28. 

God liveth ever ! 
"Wherefore, soul, despair thou never ! 
Say, shall He slumber, shall He sleep, 
Who gave the eye its power to see ? 
Shall He not hear His children weep 
Who made the ear so wondrously ? 
God is God ; He sees and hears 
All their troubles, all their tears. 
Soul, forget not 'mid thy pains, 
God o'er all forever reigns. 

Zihn. 

O Life of life, 
Grant me true faith in Thy life, 
That I may purify my life 
And enter the life everlasting. Amen. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



19 



Imuraxg 20. 

Gratitude. 

Consider how great things he hath done for you. 
1 Sam. 12 : 24. 

Methinks of all the sins that pierce the heart 
of Christ anew, 
And once again, in loveless wise, bring Calvary 
to view, 

That in those hands and feet again the nailprints 
deep impress, 
The blackest is the loveless sin of dark un- 
thankfulness. 

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the 
prosperity bestowed upon us may not lead us to 
be ashamed of Thy worship, but rather may 
alway enkindle us to render heartier thanks to 
Thee. 

fammrg 21. 

Prayer. 

Lord, teach us to pray. — Luke 11 : 1. 

When prayer delights thee least, then learn to 
say, 

Soul, now is greatest need that thou shouldst 
pray. 

Trench. 

Let Thy Holy Spirit teach me how to pray, 
give me just apprehension of my want, zeal of 
Thy glory, great resentment of Thy mercies, love 



20 



WORD FOE THE DAY. 



of all spiritual employments that are pleasing 
unto Thee ; and do Thou help mine infirmities, 
that the devil may not abuse my fancies with 
illusions, nor distract my mind with cares, nor 
alienate my thoughts with impertinences. 

lannnrg 22. 

God's Holiness. 

Thou art of purer eyes titan to beTiold evil, and 
canst not look on iniquity. — Hab. 1 : 13. 

Holy, holy, holy ! though the darkness hide 

Thee, 

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may 
not see ; 

Only Thou art holy ; there is none beside Thee, 
Perfect in power, in love and purity. 

Heber. 

Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, 
all desires known, and from whom no secrets 
are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by 
the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit ; that we may 
perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy 
holy name, through Christ our Lord. 

|annaig 23. 
Dignity of Labor. 

My Father worketh h itherto, a nd I work. — John 
5 : IT. 

Work is the holiest thing in earth or heaven ; 
To lift from souls the sorrow and the curse. 



WORD FOR TEE DAY. 



21 



This dear employment must to us be given, 
While there is want in God's great universe. 

O Thou Father of all who work, teach and 
guide me, that not only I may work with zeal, 
but that I may realize how great and how grand 
is my privilege in being a fellow-worker with 
Thee. For the sake of the working Christ. 
Amen. 

|(mtunr)j 24. 

Nearness of Heaven. 

0 death, where is thy sting ? 0 grave, wliere is 
thy victory f — 1 Cor. 15 : 55. 

Surely, yon heaven, where angels see God's face, 

Is not so distant as we deem 
From this low earth ? Tis but a little space, 

The narrow crossing of a slender stream ; 
'Tis but a veil, which winds might blow aside. 

Into Thy hands I commend my spirit ; for 
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of 
truth. 

fantrarg 25. 
Truth. 

Lead me in thy truth and teach me. — Ps. 25 : 5. 

The one, whole truth I seek, 

In this sad age of strife ; 
The truth of Him who is the Truth — 

And in whose truth is life. 

Bonar. 



22 



WORD FOR THE DAY, 



O, teach me to do the things that pleaseth 
Thee, for Thou art my God. Let Thy loving 
Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteous- 
ness. 

lamtarg 26. 
True Sympathy. 
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with 
them that weep. — Rom. 12 : 15. 

Ask God to give thee skill 

In comfort's art ; 
That thou mayst consecrated be, 

And set apart 
Unto a life of sympathy. 
For heavy is the weight of ill 

In every heart, 
And comforters are needed much 
Of Christ-like touch. 

E. H. 

O most loving Jesus, . . . grant that by con- 
stantly rejoicing in the happiness and good 
success of others, and putting away all envious 
thoughts, we may follow Thee, who art Thyself 
the true and perfect love. Amen. 

fararaig 27. 
Humility. 

Charity vaunteth not itself ] is not puffed up. — 
1 Cor. 13 : 4. 

Down with thy pride ! With holy vengeance 
trample 

On each self-flattering fancy that appears ; 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



23 



Did not the Lord himself, for our example, 
Lie hid in Nazareth for thirty years. 

O mortify in me all proud thoughts and vain 
opinions of myself ; let me return to Thee the 
acknowledgment and the fruits of all those 
good things Thou hast given me, that, by con- 
fessing I am wholly in debt to Thee for them, I 
may not boast myself for what I have received, 
and for what I am highly accountable ; and for 
what is my own teach me to be ashamed and 
humbled, it being nothing but sin and misery, 
weakness and uncleanness. 

famrarg 28. 

Riches Unsatisfying. 

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with 
silver; nor he that loveth abundance with in- 
crease. — Eccl. 5 : 10. 

Gold healeth none ! 
It hath no balm for wounds, 
It binds no broken hearts, 
It smooths no ruffled brow, 
It calms no inner storm. 

Bonar. 

Give me grace to forsake all covetous desires, 
and inordinate love of riches and pleasures, 
through Jesus Christ. Amen. 



24 



WOBD FOE THE DAY. 



farming 29. 

Generosity. 

Tlie liberal deviseth liberal things ; and by liberal 
things shall he stand. — Is. 32 : 8. 

Forever the sun is pouring his gold 

On a hundred worlds that beg and borrow; 
His warmth he squanders on summits cold, 
His wealth on homes of want and sorrow. 
To withoid his largess of precious light 
Is to bury himself in eternal light. 
To give 
Is to live. 

O Lord, grant me such life. Amen. 

|aiutarg 30. 

Diligence. 

Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serv- 
ing the Lord. — Romans 12 : 11. 

H ark, hark, a voice amid the quiet intense ! 
It is thy duty waiting thee without. 
Rise from thy knees, in hope, the half of doubt ; 
A hand doth pull thee — it is Providence : 
Open thy door straightway and get thee hence ; 
Go forth into the tumult and the shout ; 
Work, love, with workers, lovers all about ; 
Of noise alone is born the inward sense 
Of silence ; and from action springs alone 
The inward knowledge of true love and faith. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



25 



Give to each of us the peculiar grace that is 
needed for our several paths. As each duty is 
recognized give us the strength of will to per- 
form it, and may we love Thee so dearly that we 
shall be unconscious of the sense of duty, and 
be moved only by the love of Thee to even* act 
of our lives. 

|mnrarg SI 

The Source of Strength. 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my 
deliverer ; my God. my strength, in whom I will 
trust; my buckler, and- the horn of my salvation, 
and my high tower. — Ps. 18 : 2. 

It is Thy strength alone, alone Thy strength 

That strengthens me ; 
And for that strength of Thine, that strengthen- 
ing strength, 

I come to Thee, 

BONAR. 

O most mighty God of Israel, the strength of 
faithful souls, look, I pray Thee, upon the labor 
and sorrow of Thy servant, and assist him in all 
things which he puts his hand unto. Gird him 
with heavenly strength. 



26 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



^brttarg 1. 

Holy Courtesy. 

If any man offend not in word, the same is a 
perfect man. — James 3:2. 

Keep Thou the portals of my lips, lest words 
Of levity, or censure undeserved, 
Abuse the freedom of my mirthful hours. 
Tinge my each word and action with the hue 
Of heart-born courtesy and hoi}- love. 

Give me, O Lord, a mild, a peaceable, a meek, 
and an humble spirit, that, remembering mine 
own infirmities, I may bear with those of others, 
. . . that I may think lowly of myself, and not 
be angry when others also think lowly of me ; 
that I may be patient towards all men, gentle 
and easy to be entreated. 



Jxbrtrarg 2. 

Prayer for Wisdom. 

TJiat which I see not, teach tliou me. — Job 34: 
32. 

If I am right, Thy grace impart 

Still in the right to stay; 
If I am wrong, oh, teach my heart 

To find that better way. 

Pope. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



27 



"Lead me in Thy truth and teach me," Lord 
. . . teach me that Thou art my Wisdom, my 
Righteousness, my Sanctification, my Redemp- 
tion, my Help in difficulty, my Refuge in danger, 
my Ark of Safety across the swelling Jordan, 
and my All in All throughout Eternity. 

Jtbrttarg 3. 

Zeal and Courage. 

Fight the good fight of faith. — 1 Tm. 6 : 12. 

His is the battle, His the power, 
His is the triumph in that hour; 

In Him be strong. 
So round Thy brow the wreath shall twine, 
So shall the victory be Thine, 

And Thine the song. 

May no spirit of self-indulgence, no love of 
ease, no dread of opposition, no fear of shame 
prevent our laying out our lives heartily in Thy 
service. Make us willing in all respects, to 
deny ourselves, that we may live unto Thee. 

Jtbnrarg 4. 

Our Responsible Position. 

Ye are our epistle . . . known and read of all 
men.— 2 Cor. 3 : 2. 

From scheme and creed the light goes out, 

The saintly fact survives : 
The blessed Master none can doubt 

Revealed in holv lives. 



23 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



We beseech Thee, give us that due sense of 
all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeign- 
edly thankful, and that we show forth Thy 
praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives ; 
by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by 
walking before Thee in holiness and righteous- 
ness all our days. 

<#ehnrarg 5. 

Love the Essential. 

Though I have all faith, so that I could remove 
mountains, and have not charity \ I am nothing. — 
1 Cor. 13 : 2. k 

I hold that Christian grace abounds 
Where Charity is seen ; that when 
We climb to heaven, 'tis on the round 
- Of love to men. 

Alice Cary. 

Make us to be more and more like Thee, and 
lead us to treat our fellow-men as we ourselves 
are treated of God. Forgive us all our hard- 
heartedness and unmercifulness, and cruelty and 
injustice and unsympathy towards one another. 
May we be more patient and more forbearing. 

^efrrtmrg 8. 

Humbleness of Heart. 

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. 
Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let 
not the rich man glory in his riches. — Jer. 9 : 23, 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



29 



Sad is it to be weak, 

And sadder to be wrong, 
But if the strong God's statutes break 

Tis saddest to be strong. 

Grant me, Lord, the wisdom to be humble in 
Thy presence who alone art the All-Wise ; the 
might that is gentle as Thou art gentle, oh most 
mightiest ; the spirit that useth riches as Thou 
usest them, O Creator of all and most bountiful 
Father. Amen. 

Jfebnrarg 7. 

Little Faults. 

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the 
vines ; for our vines have tender grapes. — Cant. 
2 : 15. 

Ah, it is the foxes small 
Slyly climbing o'er the wall, 

That destroy the tender vines; 
And it is the spark of fire, 
Brightening, growing, curling higher, 

That across the forest shines ; 
Just so, step by step, does sin, 
If unchecked, a triumph win. 

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day with- 
out sin. 



30 



WOE I) FOE THE DAY. 



jfehnnzif) 8. 

Gratitude. 

TT7<e?i thou hast eaten and art full, then thou 
shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land 
which he hath given thee. — Deut. 8 : 10. 

Who broods above a wrong in thought 
Sins much ; but greater sin is his 
Who, fed and clothed with kindnesses, 
Shall count the holy alms as naught. 

Whittier. 

O God, endue me with a spirit of true and 
pious gratitude for all Thy benefits, temporal 
and spiritual ; maintain and increase the same 
in my heart. Grant me the blessing of a thank- 
ful spirit, and dispose me ever to take delight in 
Thy sendee. 

^cbrrtarg 9. 

Our Destiny. 

We are his workmanship, created in Christ 
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before or- 
dained that we should walk in them. — Eph. 2 : 10. 

Work for some good, be it ever so slowly ; 
Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly ; 
Labor, all labor, is earnest and holy ; 
Let your great work be your prayer to your God. 



WORD FOR THE DAT, 



31 



Let labor for Thee be my delight, and all rest 
be weariness out of Thee. Give me a waking 
spirit, and a diligent soul, that I may seek to 
know Thv will, and when I know it, may per- 
form it faithfully, to the honor and glory of Thy 
ever blessed Name. 

Jebrtrarg lO. 
Quietness of Soul. 
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind 
is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee. — 
Isa. 26 : 3. 

Calm soul of all things ! make it mine 

To feel, amid the city's jar, 
That there abides a peace of thine 

Man did not make, and cannot mar. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to keep us in per- 
petual peace, as Thou hast vouchsafed us confi- 
dence in Thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Jcbritarjj 11. 
The Mighty Helper. 
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest. — Matt. 11 : 28. 
Hither come, ye heavy-hearted, 
Who for sin, 
Deep within, 
Long and sore have smarted ; 
For the poisoned wounds you're feeling 
Help is near ; 
One is here 
Mighty for their healing. 



32 



ViORB FOR THE DAY. 



Hither come, ye poor and wretched ; 

Know His will 

Is to fill 
Every hand outstretched ; 
Here are riches without measure, 

Here forget 

All regret, 
Fill your hearts with treasure. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

We will come to Thee, O Christ. Thou hast 
always helped us. Thou art helping us now, 
and we know that Thy promises are sure, and 
that forever Thou will support and comfort us. 
Give us loving, grateful hearts, we beseech 
Thee. 

Jekrxiarg 12. 
The Rod. 

Then will I visit their transgression with the 
rod, and their iniquity with stripes. — Ps. 89 : 32. 

God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and 
then, 

The rod doth sleep while vigilant are men. 

Robert Herrick. 

Thanks be to Thee, because Thou hast not 
spared my faults, but hast beaten me with the 
stripes of love, inflicting pain and sending 
trouble upon me without and within. Thy dis- 
cipline shall be upon me, and Thy rod shall 
teach me. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



33 



Jtbruarg. 13. 

God's Ownership. 

/ have called thee by thy na?ne, thou art 
mine. 

O soul rejoice! 
Thou art God's child, indeed, for all thy sinning, 
A poor weak child, yet His, and worth the win- 
ning, 

With savior eyes and voice. 

O most gracious Lord, direct and order all my 
thoughts, words and works according to Thy 
good pleasure, and to the praise of Thy name ; 
and conform them to the perfect pattern of Thy 
most holy life and conversation. I am Thine, 
and would be Thine, O Lord, in life and in 
death. Into Thy hands I commend myself, and 
all that I have. 

J^kttnrg 14. 
Our Limitations. 
And the Lord shut him in. — Gen. 7:16. 

Is it the Lord that shuts me in ? 

Then I can bear to wait ! 
No place so dark, no place so poor, 
So strong and fast, no prisoning door, 

Though walled by grievous fate, 
But out of it goes fair and broad 
An unseen pathway, straight to God, 



34 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



By which I mount to Thee. 
When the same Love that shut the door 
Shall lift the heavy bar once more 

And set the prisoner free. 

In captivity, pain, or grief, enable me to see 
Thy mercy and Thy love, O God, my Creator, 
Guide and King. 

Jtfrruanj IB. 

Our Superficial Judgments. 

The Lord seeth not as man seeth ; for man 
looketli on the outward appearance. — 1 Sam. 16:7. 

How do we know what hearts have vilest sin, 

How do we know ? 
Many may be like sepulchres within, 
Whose outward garb is spotless as the snow ; 
And many may be pure we think not so, 
How near to God the souls of such have been 
"What mercies secret penitence ma}' win, 

How do we know? 

O Lord, may we never forget that if Thou 
should'st deal as unmercifully with us as we do 
with each other, none of us could stand. While 
we seek for things that are true and right, and 
pure and just, may we also seek for the things 
that are merciful. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



35 



Jebnmrg 16. 

Our High Mission. 

Comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be 
patient toward all men. — 1 Thess. 5 : 14. 

But thou go forth and do thy deed, 

In forest and in town, 
Nor sigh for ease, while pain and need 

Are plucking at thy gown. 

Oh, Thou whose great heart of love is full of 
compassion for the sufferings of Thy children, so 
fill me with Thy spirit that casting off all 
thought of self I may labor with holy zeal to 
lighten the sorrows of the afflicted, to supply 
the wants of the needy, and in all things to 
show love toward my brethren. 

Jebrtrarg 17. 
Liberality. 

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed. — 
Prov. 22 : 9. 

For the heart grows rich in giving ; 

All its wealth is living grain ; 
Seeds which mildew in the garner, 

Scattered, fill with gold the plain. 
Is thy burden hard and heavy? 

Do thy steps drag wearily ? 
Help to bear thy brother's burden, 

God will bear both it and thee. 

Mrs. Charles. 



36 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



O Lord, most bountiful, I would have the 
riches which come of giving, I would have the 
blessedness which comes of blessing, and I 
would have the love which comes of loving. 
Help me to this gain, I beseech Thee. 

Jtbntarg 18. 

Importance of Improving Time. 

My days are swifter than a weavefs shuttle. — 
Job 7 : 6. 

Not many lives, but only one have we — 

One, only one ; 
How sacred should that one life ever be — 

That narrow span ! 
Day after day filled up with blessed toil, 
Hour after hour bringing in new spoil. 

Bonar. 

Grant that each day may see some work un- 
dertaken and carried forward for Thee, that will 
lead to the uplifting of some soul into a knowl- 
edge of Thy love and mercy. 

Jtktmrg 19. 

Patience under Slander. 

Charity . . . beareth all things. — 1 Cor. 13 : 4, 7. 

When evil tongues with stinging blame 
Would cast dishonor on my name, 
I'll curb the passions that upstart ; 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



And take injustice patiently, 
And pardon, as Thou pardon'st me. 
With an ungrudging, generous heart. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

Take from me, I beseech Thee, all feeling of 
displeasure, if others seem to slight me or not 
to love me. Teach me so to think of Thee, as 
not to think whether I am slighted or not ; but 
grant that loving all for love of Thee, I may, 
with them, grow in Thy love and love Thee 
everlastingly. 

Jtbnrarg 20. 
Our Sun. 

For God . . . hath sMned in our hearts. — 2 
Cor. 4 : 6. 

It is Thy light alone, alone Thy light 

That cheereth me ; 
And for that light of Thine, that cheering light, 

I come to Thee. 

Boxar. 

Send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they 
may give light upon the earth ; for I am but as 
Ithe earth, dark and void, until Thou enlighten- 
est me. 

(jikiraig 21. 

Inward Holiness. 

The Lord looketh on the heart. — 1 Sam. 16:7. 

Think, and be careful what thou art within, 
For there is sin in the desire of sin : 



38 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Think, and be thankful, in a different case, 
For there is grace in the desire of grace. 

Byron. 

Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly ben- 
ediction, that it may become Thy holy habita- 
tion, and the seat of Thine eternal glory : and 
let nothing be found in this Temple of Thine 
honor which can offend the eyes of Thy Majesty. 

<J*bnrarg 22. 
Truth. 

Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor. — 
Zech. 8 : 16. 

Think truly, and thy thoughts 
Shall the world's famine feed ; 

Speak truly, and each word of thine 
Shall be a fruitful seed ; 

Live truly, and thy life shall be 
A great and noble creed. 

Bonar. 

O holy Lord, who searchest the heart and 
triest the reins : try me, I beseech Thee, and 
seek- the ground of my heart ; cleanse it from all 
hypocrisy, and suffer not an}^ accursed thing to 
lurk within me ; give me truth in the inward 
parts, and purity of heart, that I may see Thee 
in Thy glorious kingdom. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



89 



J^ktrarg 23. 
Selfishness. 
Charity . . . seeketh not her own. — 1 Cor. 13 : 4, 5. 

Oh, I could go through all life's troubles singing, 

Turning earth's night to day, 
If self were not so fast around me clinging 

To all I do or say. 

Faber. 

O Lord, may we learn how to live, not for our- 
selves, but in the kingdom of love ; how to live 
full of self-sacrifice, and for the joy thereof; 
how to live full of labors, that we may have that 
divine rest of which Thou hast taught us. 

<f*bnrarg 24. 
Energy. 

The desire of the slothful killeth him ; for his 
hands refuse to labor. — Proy. 21 : 25. 

Great voices call to labor, " Lo my Father 
Works, and I work with him," the Master said. 

Are we His servants then, if we would rather 
In easier pathways than He chose, be led ? 

O God, the Sovereign Good of the soul, who 
requirest the hearts of all Thy children ; deliver 
us from all sloth in Thy work, all coldness in 
Thy cause ; and help us by looking unto Thee 
to rekindle our love, and by waiting upon Thee 
to renew our strength ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 



40 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



J^bntarg 25. 
Wisdom. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. — Ps. 90 : 12. 
Lord, teach us so to mark our days 

That we may prize them duly ; 
So guide our feet in wisdom's ways 

That we may love Thee truly ; 
Return, O Lord ! our griefs behold, 
And with Thy goodness, as of old, 
Oh, satisfy us early ! 

Montgomery. 

May we be zealous for our God with a zeal 
according to knowledge and charity ; and teach 
us in Thy service to join the wisdom of the ser- 
pent with the boldness of the lion and the inno- 
cence of the dove. 

J^brrrarg 26. 
Hopefulness. 
Rejoicing in hope. — Eom. 12 : 12. 
And do not fear to hope. Can poet's brain 
More than the Father's rich, good heart 
invent ? 

Each time we smell the autumn's dying scent, 
We know the primrose time will come again ; 
Not more we hope, nor less would soothe our 
pain. 

Be bounteous in thy faith, for not misspent 
Is confidence unto the Father lent ; 
Thy seed is sown and rooted for his rain. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



41 



O God, who hast prepared for all those who 
put their trust in Thee, such good things as 
pass man's understanding : give unto me, Thine 
unworthy servant, such a good hope of life eter- 
nal in the heavens, that in all griefs and trials 
of this uncertain world, my heart may be set on 
those unfading joys which Thou hast promised 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

J^bnrarg 27. 
Our Dead. 

Let not your heart be troubled. — John 14 : 1. 

We must not doubt, or fear, or dread that love 

for life is only given ; 
And that the calm and sainted dead will meet 

estranged and cold in heaven ; 
Oh ! love were poor and vain indeed, based on 

so harsh and stern a creed. 

O God, who art Lord of the living and not of 
the dead, and who hast planted in our hearts 
loves which Thou biddest us make like unto 
Thine, forbid that we should fear lest love which 
is of Thee could ever die — teach us to feel that 
the unchanged love of our departed friends is 
one of the things of which Thou saidst, " If it 
were not so I would have told you." 



42 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



(Jxbnrarg 28. 

True Religion. 

Tlliat doth the Lord require of thee, but to do 
justly, and to Jove mercy, and to walk humbly with 
thy God. — Micah. 6 : 8. 

Ah, more than martyr's aureole, 
And more than hero's heart of fire, 

We need the humble strength of soul 
Which daily toils and ills require. 

O my strong support, grant me some of Thy 
great strength for the doing of my little deeds 
of righteousness, some of Thy great patience for 
the bearing of little ills, and an ever present 
consciousness of Thy greatness to keep me 
humble. 

Jxktrarg 29. 
The Lord's Presence. 

Fear thou not* for I am with thee: be not. dis- 
mayed, for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; 
yea. I will help thee: yea. twill uphold thee with 
the right hand of my righteousness. — Isaiah 41 : 
10. 

0 Father, hear my pleading prayers 
And help Thy helpless one ; 

The way is dark and full of snares, 
And I am all alone. 

1 cannot see — but let me know 
Thy hand doth lead me on. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



43 



O God, our refuge in pains, our strength in 
weakness, our help in tribulations, our solace in 
tears ; spare Thy people who trust in Thee, and 
deliver them out of tribulation, for our Re- 
deemer's sake. Amen. 

Parclj 1. 

Daily Life. 

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good 
works. — Titus 2 : 7. 

Many duties must be done, 
Help us, Lord, in every one ; 
If Thou give Thy grace divine, 
Every labor shall be Thine. 

Give Thy blessing, we pray Thee, to our daily 
work, that we may do it in faith and heartily, as 
to the Lord, and not unto men. All our powers 
of body and mind are Thine, and we would fain 
devote them to Thy service. Sanctify them 
and the work in which they are engaged ; let us 
not be slothful, but fervent in spirit, and do 
Thou, O Lord, so bless our efforts, that they 
may bring forth in us the fruits of true wisdom. 



44 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Subjects for Fruitful Thought. 

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things 
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report, if there be 
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on 
these things. — Phil. 4:8. 

What is true, and just and honest, 
What is lovely, what is pure — 

All of praise that hath admonished — 
All of virtue shall endure. 

Help me, O Lord, to think such thoughts as 
may be immediately converted into action, into 
the doing of deeds that will glorify Thy Holy 
Name. 

Parclj 3. 

God's Chastening. 

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 
Lord, and teachest him out of thy law. — Ps. 94 : 
12. 

And I can bless Thee too, for every smart, 
For every disappointment, ache and fear ; 

For every hook Thou fixest in my heart, 
For every burning cord that draws me near. 

George MacDonald. 



WORD FOE THE BAT. 



45 



Lord, I am willing to receive from Thine 
hands good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and 
sorrow, and to give thanks for all that may 
come upon me. Keep me from all sin, and then 
I will fear neither death nor hell. 

pardj 4. 

Brotherly Love. 

Look not every man on his own tilings, but every 
man also on the things of others. — Phil. 2 : 4. 

Let each of other's wealth 

Preserve a faithful care, 
And of each other's joy and health, 

As if one soul we were. 
Such conscience let us make, 

Each other not to grieve, 
As if we daily were to take 

Our everlasting leave. 

George Wither. 

Teach us, O Father, to imitate Thine own 
boundless beneficence. Freely as we have re- 
ceived, so freely may we give. Quicken within 
us the fountains of generosity ; warm our sym- 
pathies towards the sufferer of every class and 
clime ; let not unbrotherly prejudice ever close 
our homes or hearts against any child of Thine. 



46 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Christian Activity. 

My Father worketh hitherto, and I ivork. — John 
5 : 17. 

Thy mighty working, mighty God, 
Wakes all my powers ; I look abroad 

And can no longer rest ; 
I, too, must sing when all things sing, 
And from my heart the praises ring 

The Highest loveth best. 

Present us, O Lord, in all our doings, with 
Thy most gracious favor, and further us with 
Thy continual help ; that in all our works, 
begun, continued and ended in Thee, we may 
glorify Thy holy name. 

HJarcIj 6. 

Thankfulness. 

0 give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good. — 
Ps. 118 : 1. 

Not thankful when it pleaseth me, 
As if Thy blessings had spare days, 

But such a heart whose pulse may be 
Thy praise. 

Herbert. 

O teach me to show my gratitude by bearing 
without emotion all those trifling vexations so 
apt to disturb me. How unworthy am I of Thy 
goodness, when I permit myself to forget, on 



WOED FOR THE DAY. 



47 



any such provocation, or for one moment to 
cease the language and lose the feelings of 
praise and gratitude. 

Ularcl; 7. 
Zeal. 

I must work the works of Mm that sent me, while 
it is day: the night cometh, when no man can 
work. — John 9 : 4. 

Up, up, my soul ! the long spent time redeem- 
ing ; 

Sow thou the seeds of better deed and 
thought ; 

Light other lamps while yet thy light is beam- 
ing. 

The time, 

The time is short. 

Hezekiah Butterworth. 

Grant me energy, fervor, perseverance and 
patience — give me zeal and wisdom, O Lord, to 
do Thy work. O Thou source of all strength, 
strengthen Thou me. Amen. 

Itartlj 8. 

The Great Commandment 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine 
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
might. — Deut. 6 : 5. 

With all thy heart, with all thy soul and mind, 
Thou must Him love, and His behests em- 
brace ; 



48 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



All other loves with which the world doth blind 
Weak fancies, and stir up affections base, 
Thou must renounce and utterly displace. 

And give thyself unto Him full and free, 
That full and freely gave Himself to thee. 

Spenser. 

O most loving Father, inflame my heart with 
love of Thee, that I may do Thy will, and obey 
Thy commandments. 

Parclr 9. 

Worthy Objects of Love. 

JSet your affections on things above, not on things 
on the earth. — Col. 3:2. 

If souls be made of earthly mould, 

Let them love gold ; 

If born on high, 
Let them unto their kindred fly. 

Herbert. 

Give me grace to renounce all covetous , de- 
sires, all love of riches and pleasures ; to desire 
only what is necessary, and to be content, O 
Lord, with what Thou thinkest so. 

parclj lO. 
Fasting. 

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose 
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy bur- 
dens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye 
break every yoke f — Isa. 58 : 6. 



VTORD FOR THE DAY. 



49 



It is to fast from strife 
From old debate 
And hate ; 
To circumcise thy life ; 
To show a heart grief-rent, 
To starve thy sin, 
Not him. 
And that's to keep thy Lent. 

Herrick. 

O Lord, give me strength at this time to fast 
from my sins, to deny myself those indulgences 
of pride, and self-love, and uncharitable thought 
which have heretofore been my delight, and 
forgetting self, to manifest Thy praise in holy 
living. Amen. 

Partfc 11. 
True Prayer. 
But thou, ivlien thou pray est, enter into thy 
closet. — Matt. 6:6. 

When I have banished wayward thoughts, 

Of sinful works the fruitful seed, 
When folly wins my thoughts no more, 

The closet door is shut indeed. 
Lord, teach me to pray. 

Ptnrdj 12. 
The Divine Paternity. 
Ci Our Father." — Matt. 6 : 9. 
Who spoke the words ? Didst Thou ? 
They are too good, even for such a giver : 
Such water drinking once, I must feel ever 
As I had drunk but now. 



50 



VTOED FOE THE DAY. 



O Lord, may the thought of Thy fatherhood 
wake in me the feelings of a child. 

Stare Jj 13. 
Courage. 

Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with 
the good. — 2 Chrox. 19 : 11. 

Dare forsake what you deem wrong; 

Dare to walk in wisdom's way; 
Dare to give where gifts belong ; 

Dare God's precepts to obey. 

O Christ, who wast made subject to all man's 
infirmities, and yet didst never falter nor faint, 
grant that I, following in Thy footsteps, may be 
possessed of holy courage, and dare all for Thy 
name's sake. Amen. 

pHrdj 14. 

Purity of Heart. 

Purge me with hyssoj), and I shall be clean : 
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. — Ps. 
51 : 7. 

Purge all my sins done heretofore ; 
For I confess my heavy score, 
And I will strive to sin no more. 

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew 
a right spirit within me. 



WOBD FOB THE DAY. 



51 



Ufartjj 15. 
God's Will. 
The will of the Lord be done. — Acts 21 : 14. 

Just as Thou wilt is just what I would will ; 
Give me but this, the heart to be content, 

And if my wish is thwarted, to lie still, 
Waiting till puzzle and till pain are spent, 
And the sweet thing made plain which the 
Lord meant. 

With all my heart and soul, O God, I thank 
Thee, that in all the changes and chances of 
this mortal life, I can look up to Thee, and 
cheerfully resign my will to Thine. 

|Hardj 16. 
The Result Inevitable. 

Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : for what- 
soever a man soweth, that shall lie also reap, — Gal. 
6 : 7. 

Sow truth if thou the true wouldst reap, 
Who sows the false shall reap the vain ; 

Erect and sound thy conscience keep ; 
From hollow words and deeds refrain. 

Open Thou mine eyes that I may see, incline 
my heart that I may desire, order my steps that 
I may follow the way of Thy commandments. 



52 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Pardjj 17. 
Shine. 

Ye are the light of the world. — a[att. 5 : 14. 

" Shine !" said the Voice, " let the light that is 
burning, 

Buried within thee, illumine the way." 
"Nay," said the Christian, " the light is uncer- 
tain, 

What if it lead my weak brother astray? " 
" Herald the dawning, and earth shall rejoice, 
Darkness is danger ; shine ! " said the Voice. 

Hear us, O never- failing Light . . . 

May our souls be lamps of Thine, kindled and 
illuminated by Thee. May they shine and burn 
with the Truth, and never go out in darkness 
and ashes. May we be Thy house, shining from 
Thee, shining in Thee ; may we shine and fail 
not ; may we ever worship Thee ; in Thee may 
we be kindled, and not be extinguished. 

gtedj 18. 
True Fasting. 

When ye fast, be not as the hypocrites. — Matt. 
6 : 16. 

Who hath known trouble, loss, and sad en- 
deavor, 

To whom sore pain and lonely hours are sent, 
Yet bravely bears his lot, repining never, 
Waiting in silence, praying — loving ever, 
He best keeps Lent. 



VTORD FOR THE DAY. 



53 



O Jesus ! crucified for me, subdue my heart 
with Thy holy fear and love, and since my sins 
were the cruel nails that pierced Thee, grant 
that in sorrow for my past life I may pierce and 
nail to Thy cross all that offends Thee. Amen. 

gjfercjj 19. 

True Love. 

If a man say. Hove God. and hateth his brother, 
lie is a liar. — 1 John 4 : 20. 

Love is the Holy Ghost within, 
Hate the unpardonable sin ! 
Who preaches otherwise than this 
Betrays his Master with a kiss. 

Longfellow. 

Preserve me from imagining that I can love 
Thee, O Lord, without loving and showing 
kindness to my brother. 

gtarclj 20. 

True Riches. 

There is that mdketh himself rich, yet hath 
nothing. — Prov. 13 : 7. 

Gold filleth none ! 
That which has life 
Alone can fill the living ; 
That which has love 
Alone can fill the loving. 

BONAR. 



54 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



O my God, source of all that is sweet to ray 
soul, change all carnal consolation into bitter- 
ness, if it draw me away from the love of things 
eternal, and entice me by the too tempting 
offers of present delights. Let not flesh and 
blood prevail over me, O my God ; let not the 
world and its short-lived glory deceive me. 

parti; 21. 
Strength. 

If thou faint in the day of adversity thy 
strength is small. — Prov. 24 : 10. 

Pass on from strength to strength, 

Faint not nor yield ; 
With girded loins press on. the goal is near. 
With ready sword fight God's great battles here, 

Win thou the field. 

BONAR. 

O Lord Jesus Christ . . . put away from us, 
we beseech Thee, all sloth and inactivity, both 
of body and mind. Kindle within us the fire of 
Thy love, strengthen our weakness, that what- 
soever our hand findeth to do we may do it with 
our might, and that striving heartily to please 
Thee in this life, Thou mayest hereafter be our 
exceeding great reward. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



55 



Partlj 22. 

Unity in Christ. 

Now I beseech you brethren . . . that there be 
no divisions among you. Is Christ divided f — 1 
Cor. 1 : 10, 13. 

Forth from the midst of Babel brought, 
Parties and sects I cast behind ; 

Enlarged my heart, and free my thought, 
Where'er the latent truth I rind, 

The latent truth with joy to own, 

And bow to Jesus' name alone. 

Grant that the day of conflicts may have an 
end : that the day of harmony may come ; that 
men who love Christ may love one another, and 
not vex each other, and distract each other's 
forces by the way. Overrule all causes of jeal- 
ousy, all mischiefs, all evil surmisings, all stum- 
blings at the truth. And grant that Thy king- 
dom in all the world be advanced. 

Ifardj 23. 
Unworldliness. 

Be not conformed to this world. — Kom. 12 : 2. 

O world, there's fever in thy touch, 

And frenzy in thine eye ; 
To lose and shun thee is to live, 

To win thee is to die. 



Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, 
but to love things heavenly, and even now, 



56 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



while we are placed among things that are pass- 
ing away, to cleave to those that shall abide 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Sfercjj 24. 
Wisdom. 

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy 
ivays be established. — Pro v. 4:26. 

Haste not ! let no thoughtless deed 
Mar for aye the spirit's speed ; 
Ponder well, and know the right ; 
Onward then, with all thy might. 
Haste not ; years can ne'er atone 
For one reckless action done. 

Goethe. 

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, 
and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me un- 
derstanding, and I shall keep Thy law. 

Parclj 25. 

Reason of Afflictions. 

Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, 
that it may bring forth more fruit. — John 15 : 2. 

Oh, life hath many a wild and rugged turning ! 

It may be well that budded joys should die, 
Lest better hopes, o'er which the soul is yearn- 
ing, 

Should bear no blossom in the world on high. 

O teach my untractable spirit a ready compli- 
ance with Thy righteous will ! Thou knowest 
what is most expedient for my advancement in 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



57 



holiness, and how effectually tribulation con- 
tributed to wear away the rust of corruption. 
Do with me therefore, 0 Lord, according to 
Thine own will. 

puxlj 26. 

The Yoke Easy. 

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth 
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimo- 
nies. — Ps. 25 : 10. 

How infinite and sweet, Thou everywhere, 
And all abounding Love, Thy service is ! 

Thou liest an ocean round my world of care, 

My petty every day ; and fresh and fair, 

Pour Thy strong tides through all my crevices, 

Until the silence ripples into prayer. 

Vouchsafe, O God, to lead and guide me by 
Thy counsel here, and afterward receive me into 
glory. 

ptt-tlj 27. 

Morning Prayer. 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, 0 
Lord ; in the morning will L direct my prayer 
unto thee ) and will look up. — Ps. 5 : 3. 

The day before thee lies, 

With all its toil and care ; 
And dangers round thee rise, 

And many a hurtful snare. 



58 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



For strength the toil to bear, 

And danger chase away, 
To guard thy feet from every snare, 

Rise with the dawn and pray. 

I commend to Thee, Lord, my impulses and 
my startings, my intentions and my attempts, 
my going out and my coming in, my sitting 
down and my rising up. 

Bishop Andrewes. 

ifartk 28. 
Our Pattern. 

Tlie disciple is not above Ms master, nor the ser- 
vant above his lord. — Matt. 10 : 24. 

Adown leads Jesus' path ; 

And wouldst thou, blindly driven, 
By vain, presumptuous pride, 

Attempt the heights of heaven ? - 
Thy Saviour God came down ! 

Wouldst higher thou ascend ? 
Whoe'er with Him would rise 

Must first with Him descend. 

O Lord Jesus, forasmuch as Thy life on earth 
was humble, and despised by the world, grant 
me grace to imitate Thee, even if the world 
despise me. Let Thy servant be exercised in a 
life like Thine. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



59 



pardjj 29. 

A Prayer for Help. 

Thou son of David, have mercy on us. — [Matt. 
9 : 27. 

0 Saviour, Christ, our woes dispel, 

For some are sick, and some are sad, 
And some have never loved Thee well, 

And some have lost the love they had 
And some are pressed with worldly care, 

And some are tired with sinful doubt, 
And some such grievous passions tear 

That only Thou canst cast them out. 

Hymns Ancient and Modern. 

We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, O 
Lord God . . . 

That it may please Thee to comfort and help 
the weak-hearted ; and to raise up those who 
fall . . . 

That it may please Thee to succor, help, and 
comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and 
tribulation . . . 

Partf; 30. 

The Result of Sin. 

The soul that simieth, it shall die. — Ezek. 18 : 4. 

Never by lapse of time, 
The soul defaced by crime 

Into its former self returns again ; 



60 



WO ED FOR THE DAT. 



For every guilty deed 
Holds in itself the seed 

Of retribution and undying pain. 

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day with- 
out sin. 

glare 1} 31. 
1 Fulfillment. 

He which liatli begun a good work in you will 
perform it. — Philip. 1 : 6. 

The lives which seem so poor, so low, 

The hearts which are so cramped and dull, 

The baffled hopes, the impulse slow, 

Thou takest, touchest all, and lo ! 
They blossom to the beautiful. 

Grant us to remember, Lord, that what Thou 
hast promised Thou wilt perform, and walk 
gladly on our often sad and darkened way, 
knowing that Light will come hereafter. 

gijril l. 
A Cry for Holiness. 

Create in me a dean heart. 0 God, and renew a 
rigid spirit within me. — Ps. 51 : 10. 

Four things which are not in thy treasury 
I lay before thee, Lord, with this petition : — 
My nothingness, my wants ; my sins and my 
contrition. 

I have undutifully deserted a most loving 
Father; I have wickedly wasted all His sub- 



WORD FOR THE BAY. 



61 



stance ; and while I follow the lusts of the flesh, 
forgetful of Thy commandments, I have involved 
myself in a most shameful bondage of sin, and 
am brought to extreme want ; nor do I see 
whither I can flee but to the God from whom I 
have fled. Mercifully receive thy suppliant, 
whom thus far Thou has gently borne with in 
his wanderings. 

giprxl 2. 
Slander. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and 
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil 
against you falsely, for my sake. — Matt, o : 11. 

Lay not to heart whate'er of ill 
Thy foes may falsely speak of thee, 

Let man defame thee as he will, 
God hears and judges righteously. 

Why shouldst thou fear, if God be on thy side, 

Man's cruel anger or malicious pride ? 
Be thou content. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

Give me patience, good Lord, to bear what- 
ever of slander or of misconception falls to my 
share, remembering how Thou wast ever mis- 
understood, and yet didst love Thine enemies 
and pray for their forgiveness. 



02 



WORD FOE THE DAT. 



gipril 3. 

The Cross. 

If any man will come after me, let him deny 
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me — 
Matt. 16 : 24 

Heavier the cross, the stronger faith ; 

The loaded palm strikes deeper root ; 
The vine-juice sweetly issueth 

Where men have pressed the clustered fruit ; 
And courage grows where dangers come, 
Like pearls beneath the salt sea foam. 

SCHMOLK. 

O Lord, increase my faith, give me courage, 
give me strength, give me patience. Amen. 

gipril 4. 

Lesson of the Resurrection. 

If ye then he risen with Christ, seek those things 
which are above. — Col. 3:1. 

Who doth himself in Christ's grave lay, 
Shall rise with Christ on Easter Day. 
Who conquers self for others' need, 
Hath risen with Jesus, risen indeed. 
Who selfishness at the cross lays down, 
Shall share with his Saviour the throne and the 
crown. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that 
we, putting off the old man with his deeds, may 



WORD FOR TEE DAY. 



03 



live according to His life, of whose very self 
Thou hast made us partakers. 

The World. 

Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. — John 
14 : 27. 

What gives the world ? 
Vain honors, empty yearnings 
For fame and wealth, and strifes and fierce 

heart burnings, 
And cheap, deceitful pleasure, 
.And shame, and groans, and sorrow without 

measure. 

Enable me, gracious God, to escape the cor- 
ruption that is in the world through lust, that I 
may be partaker of the Divine nature. . . Put 
away from me all hurtful things, and give me 
those things that be profitable for me, through 
Jesus Christ. Amen, 

glpril 6. 

God's Love. 

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love ; 
therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. 
Jer. 31 : 3. 

For the love of God is broader 
Than the measure of man's mind ; 

And the heart of the Eternal 
Is most wonderfully kind. 

Faber. 



64 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



O Lord, who am I. that Thou hast so loved 
me, and sought to be loved by me ? 0 Jesus, 
grant me to love Thee, not in word and in 
tongue, but in deed and in truth. 

Sijml 7. 
The Resurrection. 
TheLord is risen. — Luke M : 34. 

Arise sad heart: if thou dost not withstand, 
Christ's resurrection thine may be ; 

Do not by hanging down, break from the hand 
Which, as it riseth, raiseth thee. 

Raise me. O risen Saviour, from the grave of 
sin to the heaven of holiness. Amen. 

Spril 8. 
Prayer. 

When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the 
heathen do ; for they think that they shall be 
heard for their m uch speaking. — Matt. 6 : .7. 

I OFTEN say my prayers. 

But do I ever pray ? 
And do the wishes of my heart 

Dictate the words I say ? 

Give me a present mind, great devotion, a 
heart fixed upon Thy Divine beauties, and an 
actual intention and perseverance in my pray- 
ers, that I may glorify Thy name, do unto Thee 
true and laudable service, and obtain relief for 
all my necessities. 



WORT* FOR TEE DAY. 



65 



Upril 9. 
Peace. 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : 
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. — John 
14 : 27. 

Who dwelleth in that secret place, 

Where tumult enters not, 
Is never cold with terror base, 

Never with anger hot. 
For if an evil host should dare 

His very heart invest, 
God is his deeper heart, and there 

He enters in to rest. 

George MacDonald. 

O God, who art Peace everlasting, whose 
chosen reward is the gift of peace, and who hast 
taught us that the peace-makers are Thy chil- 
dren, pour Thy sweet peace into our souls, that 
everything discordant may utterly vanish, and 
all that makes for peace be sweet to us forever. 

gipril lO. 
Truth. 

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts. 
— Ps. 51 : 6. 

Lie not ; but let thy heart be true to God, 
Thy mouth to it, thy actions to them both: 

Cowards tell lies, and those that fear the rod ; 
. . . Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie ; 
A fault, which needs it most, grows two 
thereby. Herbert. 



66 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Grant me this grace, good Lord. To put 
away lying, bitterness, clamor and evil speak- 
ing, with all malice, and to speak the truth in 
love. 

gtpril 11. 

Contentment. 

Be content with such things as ye have. — He- 
brews 13 : o. 

What Thou shalt to-day provide 

Let me as a child receive ; 
What to-morrow may betide, 

Calmly to Thy wisdom leave : 
Tis enough that Thou wilt care ; 
Why should I the burden bear ? 

O most loving Father, who wiliest us to give 
thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the 
loss of Thee, and to cast all our care on Thee 
who carest for us ; preserve us from faithless 
fears and world ly anxieties, and grant that no 
clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the 
light of that love which is immortal, and which 
Thou hast manifested unto us in Thy Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

3lpril 12. 

Our Support, 

The eternal God is thy ref uge, and underneath 
are the everlasting arms. — Deut. 33 : 27. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



67 



O heavenly love, how precious still, 
In days of weariness and ill ! 
In nights of pain and helplessness, 
To heal, to comfort, and to bless. 

O Lord, give me Thy heavenly grace, that I 
may cast all my care upon Thee, knowing that 
Thou carest for me ; and by whatever path 
Thou leadest me, oh ! save me from all doubt of 
Thy love, and bring me closer to Thvself. 

gtpril 13. 
Humility. 

Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. — 1 
Cor. 13 : 4. 

All service should be done for Thee 

In meek humility, 

And awe most sweet, 
That Thou shouldst take 
E'en for Thy Son, Christ Jesus' sake, 

Service from servants so unmeet. 

A. E. H. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, pattern of humility who 
didst empty Thyself of Thy glory, and take upon 
Thee the form of a servant ; root out of us all 
pride and swelling of heart, that owning our- 
selves miserable and guilty sinners, we may 
willingly bear contempt and reproaches for Thy 
sake, and glorying in nothing, save only in Thee, 
may esteem ourselves lowly in Thy sight. 
Amen. 



G8 



WORD FOE THE LAY. 



5vpr:i 14. 

True Religion. 

Go ye and learn what that meaneth. I will have 
mercy and not sacrifice. — Matt. 9 : 13. 

No knotted scourge, nor sacrificial knife, 
But the calm beaut}' of an ordered life, 
Whose very breathing is unworded praise. 

Grant that we may . . . evermore serve Thee 
in holiness and pureness of living, to Thine 
honor and glory. 

13. 

Perseverance. 

Let us not be 'weary in well doing, for in due 
season we shall reap if we faint not — Gal. 6 :9. 

Tired ! Well, what of that ? 
Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease, 
Fluttering the rose-leaves scattered by the 

breeze ? 

Come, rouse thee ! work while it is to-day ! 
Coward, arise ! Go forth upon thy way ! 

0 God, who bestowest this upon us by Thy 
grace, that we should be mace righteous instead 
of ungodly, blessed instead of miserable ; be 
present to Thine own good works, be present 
to Thine own gifts : that they in whom dwells a 
justifying faith may not lack a strong perse- 
verance ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



69 



glpril 16. 

"Weakness. 

Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord ; for lam weak. — 
Ps. 6 : 2. 

Weak, weak, forever weak ! 

We cannot hold what we possess ! 
Youth cannot find, age will not seek, 

Oh weakness is the heart's worst weariness. 
But weakest hearts can lift their thoughts to 
Thee ; 

It makes me strong to think of thine eternity. 

Faber. 

There is no holiness, 0 Lord, if Thou with- 
draw Thine hands. Strength is but weakness, 
unless Thou preserve it. Watchfulness is not 
sufficient, unless Thou watch with us. Left to 
ourselves, we sink and perish ; when Thou 
visitest us, we rise up and live. We are weak in 
ourselves, but strong in Thee. 

gipril 17. 

God's Presence. 

And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee 
in all places whither thou goest. — Gen. 28 : 15. 

In busy mart and crowded street, 
No less than in the still retreat, 
Thou, Lord, art near our souls to bless, 
With all a parent's tenderness. 



70 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Lord, come to us that Thou mayest cleanse 
us. 

Lord, come to us that Thou mayest heal us. 
Lord, come to us that Thou mayest strengthen 
us. 

gfril 18. 
Love. 

A neiv commandment I give unto you. That ye 
love one another : as I have loved you, that ye also 
love one another. — John 13 : 34. 

Love as He loved ! A love so unconfined, 
With arms extended would embrace mankind. 
Self-love would cease, or be dilated, when 
We should behold as many selfs as men ; 
All in one family, in blood allied, 
His precious blood that for our ransom died. 

Waller. 

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our 
doings without charity are nothing worth, send 
Thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that 
most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of 
peace and of all virtues ; without which, whoso- 
ever liveth is counted dead before Thee. 

g^ril 19. 
Belief. 

Although thou say est thou shalt not see him . . . 
trust thou in him. — Job 35 : 14. 

Father of Lights, highest, unspeakable. 
On whom no changing shadow ever fell ! 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



71 



Thy light we know not, are content to see ; 
And shall we doubt because we know not Thee ? 
Or, when Thy wisdom cannot be expressed, 
Fear, lest dark vapors brood within Thy breast ? 
It shall not be. 

Lord, give me grace to trust Thee at all 
times, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in 
health, and, in Thy good time, enable me truly 
to say, with Thy servant of old, " I know whom 
I have believed, and am persuaded that He is 
able to keep that which I have committed unto 
Him against that day." 

gipril 20. 

Human Judgments. 

Judge not. — Matt. 7:1. 

Feel'st thou not friends who blame thee, ever 
jar 

With truth, nor on thy soul's true ulcer bite ? 
Feel'st thou not utterly, that nothing can 

Convey thy being to another's breast ? 
Then how shalt thou explore thy fellow man ? 

Rather let Christ's great wisdom be confessed, 
Who taxed rash judgment as this world's worst 
leaven, 

And the worst temper for the courts of heaven. 

O Thou Searcher of hearts, by whom alone 
actions, and words, and thoughts are justly 
weighed ; keep far from us all disposition to 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



judge and censure our brethren. . . In our con- 
duct to each other let mercy still rejoice against 
judgment. 

gipril 21. 
Love. 

Owe no man anything, but to love one another. — 
Kom. 13 : 8. 

O brother man ! fold to thy heart thy brother ; 

Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there ; 
To worship rightly is to love each other, 

Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer. 

Whittier. 

Grant us Thy spirit, O Lord. 

That, as Thou hast loved us, so we may love 
one another, with a pure heart, fervently, put- 
ting away from us all bitterness, and wrath, and 
anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, with all 
malice, being kind to one another, tender- 
hearted, forgiving one another, even as Thou, 
O Christ, hast forgiven us. 

gipril 22. 
Trust. 

Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in 
him ; and he shall bring it to pass. — Ps. 37 : 5. 

Like a blind spinner in the sun, 

I tread my days ; 
I know that all the threads will run 

Appointed ways : 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



73 



I know each day will bring its task, 
And being blind, no more I ask. 

H. H. 

I commend to Thee, O Lord, my soul and my 
body, my mind and my thoughts, my prayers 
and my vows, my senses and my limbs, my 
words and my works, my life and my death. 

gipril 23. 

God's Knowledge of Us. 

For I know the thoughts that I think towards 
you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of 
evil, to give you an expected end, — Jer. 29 : 11. 

Henceforth my own desire shall be 
That He who knows me best should choose for 
me, 

And so, whate'er His love sees good to send, 
I'll trust it's best, because He knows the end. 

Mrs. Hobart. 

i 

O Christ, who hast ever been misunderstood, 
even by those whom Thou lovest, grant that I 
may not misunderstand Thee, nor think Thee 
harsh and angered against me when Thou art 
but manifesting Thy deepest love. 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Stpril 24. 
Light. 

Walk as children of light. — Eph. 5 : 8. 

Why walk in darkness ? Our true light yet 
shineth, 

It is not night but day ! 
All healing and all peace His light enshrineth, 

Why shun His loving ray? 

Enlighten me, O Lord Jesus, with the bright- 
ness of Thine inner light, and expel all darkness 
from the secret places of my heart. Restrain 
my wandering, and deliver me from the power 
of temptations. 

g^ppril 25. 
The Wise Choice. 
Let us lay aside every weight. — Heb. 12 : 1. 

Dispatch necessities ; life hath a load 
Which must be carried on, and safely may-; 
Yet keep those cares without thee, let the heart 
Be God's alone, and choose the better part. 

Henry Vaughan. 

O Lord, Thou knowest how many demands 
will be made this day upon my strength, my 
energies, my time. Do Thou give me wisdom 
to discern which are the truly needful ones, and 
courage and steadfastness of purpose, and will to 
put my hand forth to such only, casting aside 
all which would hinder me in the race. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



75 



gipitl 28. 
God's Will. 

Always laboring fervently for you in prayers, 
that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the 
will of God. — Col. 4 : 12. 

Yet more and more this truth doth shine, 

From failure and from loss ; 
The will that runs transverse to Thine 
Doth thereby make its cross : 
Thine upright will 
Cuts straight and still, 
Through pride, and dream, and dross. 

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

&pil 27. 
The Life to Come. 

In thy presence is fullness of joy ; at thy right 
hand there are pleasures for evermore. — Ps. 16 ; 
11. 

To others, Death seems dark and grim, 

But not, Thou Life of life, to me ; 
I know Thou ne'er forsakest him 

Whose heart and spirit rest in Thee. 
Oh, who would fear his journey's close, 
If from dark woods and lurking foes 

He then found safety and release ? 
Nay, rather with a jo3^ful heart 
From this dark region I depart 

To Thy eternal light and peace. 

Deszler. 



76 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my 
spirit. 

gtpril 28. 

Prayer for Guidance. 

For thou art my rock and my fortress : therefore, 
for thy name's sake, lead me and guide me. — Ps. 
31 : 3. 

Unless Thou show to us Thine own true way, 

No man can find it ; Father ! Thou must lead. 
Do Thou, then, breathe those thoughts into my 
mind 

By which such virtue may in me be bred 
That in Thy holy footsteps I may tread ; 
The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind, 
That I may have the power to sing of Thee, 
And sound Thy praises everlastingly. 

O God . . . mercifully grant that Thy holy 
spirit may in all things direct and rule our 
hearts : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

gipril 29. 

Our God. 

He is the Rock, his work is perfect ; for all his 
ways are judgment : a God of truth and without 
iniquity, just and right is he. — Deut. 32 : 4. 

Thou art God in Thy justice, 
And trueness and goodness ; 
Thou art wholly and solely 
The Lord! — 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



77 



To Thee be the glory, 

Which saints, in the highest, accord. 

O Lord, we thank Thee that Thou art in the 
heaven transcendently more glorious than any 
human imagination can understand. By search- 
ing we cannot find Thee out — the depth of Thy 
love, the power of Thy sympathy, the sweetness 
of Thy patience, the greatness of Thy forgiving 
mercy none can understand. Grant that we 
may grow in grace, and so in the knowledge of 
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

gfril 30. 

Our Help in Temptation. 

In all points tempted like as we are, yet without 
sin. — Heb. 4 : 15. 

Pure as snow from taint of wrong, 
Thou hast felt temptation strong ; 
Thou wilt help me firm to stand 
When the tempter is at hand ; 
Thou wilt turn my thoughts to Thee, 
And the thought of sin will flee. 

R. J. Palgrave. 

We pray Thee, O Lord, be present to Thy 
suppliants ; and amid the snares of a wicked 
world, protect our weakness with never-failing 
love ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Christ the Way. 

I am the way, the truth, and the life. — John 
14 : 6. 

Art thou the way, Lord ? Then the way is 

sweet, 

No matter if it puzzle or distress, 
Though winds may scourge, or blinding suns 
may beat, 

The perfect rest shall round our weariness, 
Cool dews shall heal the fevered pulse of day ; 
We shall find home at last through Thee, the 
way. 

Jesus our Master, do Thou meet us while we 
walk in the way, and long to reach the Country ; 
so that following Thy light we may keep the 
way of righteousness, and never wander away 
into the horrible darkness of this world's night, 
while Thou, who art the Way, the Truth, and 
the Life, art shining within us. 

Worldliness. 

Unspotted from the world. — Ja^ies 1 : 27. 

Fly from the world and dwell with soothfast- 
ness, 

Sufficient be thy wealth, albeit small ; 
Avarice hath hate, ambition carefulness, 



VTOED FOR THE DAT. 



And praise despite, yet good is mixed with all ; 
Taste no more sweets than to thy share may 
fall; 

Counsel thyself, that well canst counsel give, 
And fear not Truth shall teach thee how to live. 

Chaucer. 

Grant me this grace, good Lord, not to lust 
evil lusts, not to be eager after the pleasures, 
the riches, and the vanities of this world, not to 
envy others for what Thou art pleased to give 
them. 

gtag S. 

Our Thank-offering. 

What shall I render unto the Lord for all Ms 
benefits toward me ? — Ps. 116 : 12. 

So, Lord, our stubborn wills we first will break, 

If Thou wilt take ; 
And next our selfishness, and then our pride — 

And what beside ? 
Our hearts, Lord, poor and fruitless though 
they be, 

And quick to change, and nothing worth to see. 

I offer to Thee, also, all my good deeds, how- 
ever few and imperfect, that Thou mayest purify 
and sanctify them, that Thou mayest approve 
them, and make them acceptable to Thyself, and 
cause them to lead to better deeds still. 



80 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Pag 4. 

Self-knowledge. 

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again 
to the Lord. — Lam. 3 : 40. 

... If thou turn thy thoughts 
Upon thyself, even for that great sake 
Of purity and conscious whiteness, self, 
Thou wilt but half succeed. The other half 
Is to forget the first, and all thyself, 
Quenching thy moonlight in the blaze of day, 
Turning thy being full unto thy God. 

George MacDonald. 

Grant, Lord, that I may know my sins : that I 
may turn shuddering from my sins : that I may 
gaze upon Thy holiness, and be filled with Thy 
spirit. Ame7i. 

P»B B. 

The Christian's Joy in Christ. 

In thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy rigid 
hand there are pleasures forever more, — Ps. 16: 
11. 

Without Thy presence, wealth is bags of cares ; 

Wisdom but folly; joy disquiet, sadness ; 
Friendship is treason, and delights are snares, 

Pleasures but pain, and mirth but pleasing 
madness — 



WOBD FOR THE DAY. 



81 



Without Thee, Lord, things be not what they 
be, 

Nor have their being, when compared with 



O let me, then, be forever inviolably attached 
to Thee ! Let the sweets of Thy presence so 
captivate my soul, that, disgusted with sin, it may 
be fixed in the contemplation of Thee, and 
listen with docility to Thy holy inspirations. 



Leave me not, God, until — nay, until when ? 
Not till I have with Thee, one heart, one 
mind ; 

Not till the Life is Light in me, and then 
Leaving is left behind. 



Thee. 



Francis Quarles. 



Stag 6. 



God's Presence. 



Abide with us. — Luke 24 : 29. 



Be, Lord, 



within 
without 



r to strengthen me. 



to guard me. 
to shelter me. 



over 
beneath 



me 



to establish me. 



before 
after 



to guide me. 
to forward me, 
I to secure me. 



round about 



82 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Pag 7. 
Our Refuge. 

Thus saith the Lord . . . Call unto me, and 1 
will answer thee, — Jeii. 33 : 2, 3. 

Hast thou no pining want, or wish, or care, 

That calls for holy prayer ? 

Has thy day been so bright 

That in its flight 

There is no trace of sorrow? 

And art thou sure to-morrow 

Will be like this, and more 

Abundant ? 

Margaret Mercer. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, vouchsafe us an 
unceasing perseverance in praying unto Thee ; 
that as Thou dost not forsake us when we are 
bowed down in tribulation, so Thou mayest 
cherish us with more abundant grace when we 
continually beseech Thy majesty; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

P»g 8. 

A Reason for Loving God. 
Iivill love thee, 0 Lord, my strength. — Ps. 18 : 1. 

Fob Thy grandeur is all tenderness, 

All mother-like and meek ; 
The hearts that will not come to it, 

Humbling itself to seek. 

Faber. 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



83 



O God, whom should I love, if I love not 
Thee, my Life, my Love, my All. O Love, my 
God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, and with 
my whole heart I love Thee, and my neighbor 
for Thy sake. 

mm 9. 

Aspiration. 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation 
of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, 0 Lord, my 
strength and my redeemer. — Ps. 19 : 14. 

How shall I reach the Lord? Oh, soar above, 
Ambitious soul. But which way should I fly ? 
Thou, Lord, art way and end. What wings 
have I ? 

Aspiring thoughts of faith, of hope, of love : 
Oh, let these wings, that way alone 
Present me to Thy blissful throne. 

Bishop Hall. 

O God, my Saviour and my Lord, grant, I be- 
seech Thee, that the contemplation of Thy dear 
love may ever inspire my inflamed heart with 
the zealous return of love to Thee, my God, and 
with the most fervent charity to all the mem- 
bers of Thy holy church. 

Ufeg 10. 

Diligence. 

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening 
withhold not thine hand. — Eccl. 11 : 6. 



84 



VTOED FOB THE DAY. 



Father, lift from our souls 

Inaction's chain ; 
We would not at life's close 

Have lived in vain. 
Help us to aid the right, 

Where e'er it be : 
Shed o'er our souls the light 

Which shows us Thee. 

May grace be imparted to each one of us — so 
to believe and to rejoice in Christ Jesus — so to 
follow His footsteps, and to imitate His ex- 
ample — that finally we may all meet together, 
as His ransomed people, in the heavenly king- 
dom. 

Pm 11. 

Consecration. 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
mind. — Matt. 22 : 37. 

He loves not Christ at all, 
Who loves Him not o'er all. 

Increase Thy grace in me, that daily more 
and more dead to myself, I may live and be led 
by Thy Spirit, fearing nothing but Thee, than 
whom nothing is greater or more powerful, 
loving nothing but Thee, than whom nothing is 
more to be loved, glorying in nothing but Thee, 
who art the true glory of all saints, seeking 
nothing but Thee, than whom nothing is better, 
desiring nothing but Thee, who art full and per- 



WORD FOB THE BAY. 



85 



feet felicity with the Father and the Holy Ghost 
throughout all ages. 

Pm> 12. 
Praise. 

I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, 
and the praises of the Lord, according to all that 
the Lord hath bestowed on us. — Isa. 63 : 7. 

Speak, lips of mine ! 

And tell abroad 

The praises of thy God. 
Speak, stammering tongue ! 

In gladdest tone 
Make His high praises known. 

O God, whose name is great, wonderful and 
holy, grant that I may glorify Thee not only 
with my lips, but in my life, that others, seeing 
my good works, may glorify our Father which 
is in Heaven. 

Pag 13. 
Fruition. 

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth 
me. — Fs. 138 : 8. 

New grief, new hope He will bestow, 

Thy grief and pain to quell. 
Into thy heart Himself will go, 

And that will make thee well. 

George MacDonald. 



86 



WOBD FOE THE DAY. 



Lord, make me to know Thee aright, that I 
may more and more love, and enjoy and possess 
Thee. And since in the life here below I cannot 
fully attain this blessedness, let it at least grow 
in me day by day, until it all be fulfilled at last 
in the life to come ! Here be the knowledge of 
Thee increased, and there let it be perfected. 
Here let my love to Thee grow, and there may 
it ripen ; that my joy being here great in hope, 
may there in fruition be made perfect. 

Stag 14. 

The Nature of Our Rest, 

There remainetli therefore a rest to the people 
of God. — Heb. 4 : 9. 

Where heavenly love is cause of holy life. 

And holy life increaseth heavenly love ; 
Where peace established without fear of strife, 

Doth prove the blessing of the soul's behoove, 
Where thirst nor hunger, grief nor sorrow dwell- 
eth, 

But peace in joy, and joy in peace excelleth. 

Mary Sidney. 

Grant, we pray Thee, that at last, when our 
work is accomplished, we may be more than 
willing to go. Grant that we shall have such a 
measure of the joy of the heavenly life that we 
shall be glad to leave this world. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



87 



pig IB. 
Swiftness of Time. 

It is high time to awake out of sleep. — Eom. 13 : 
11. 

Tis not for man to trifle ! Life is brief, 

And sin is here. 
Our age is but the falling of a leaf, 

A dropping tear. 
We have no time to sport away the hours, 
All must be earnest in a world like ours. 

Bonar. 

Make us to realize here, our Father, the re- 
sponsibility resting upon us as individuals 
whose influence is elevating or depressing the 
moral sentiment of the time in which we live. 
. . . Put a higher moral purpose into each of 
our lives, and the strength needed to live up to 
that standard. 

Png 16. 
Quietness of Heart. 
Be still, and know that I am God. — Ps. 46 : 10. 

Be still, my soul ; Jehovah loveth thee ; 

Fret not, nor murmur at thy weary lot ; 
Though dark and lone thy journey seems to be, 

Be sure that thou art ne'er by Him forgot. 
He ever loves ; then trust Him, trust Him still, 
Let all thy care be this, the doing of His will. 



88 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



I believe in Thee, O Lord, that thou art Al- 
mighty, infinitely Wise, and supremely Good ; 
True and Faithful to Thy promises, yea, Truth 
itself. Lord, increase my faith, help Thou mine 
unbelief. 

IN 17. 

Cheerfulness in Work. 

Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, 
and not unto men. — Col. 3 : 23. 

Work for Him gladly here, 
Without a grudge or fear ; 
Thy labor shall be light 
And all thy days be bright. 

O God, who hast commanded that no man 
should be idle, but that we should all work with 
our hands the thing that is good ; grant that I 
may diligently do my duty in that station of life 
in which Thou hast been pleased to call me. 
Give me grace, that I may honestly improve all 
the talents Thou hast committed to my trust- 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Bm is- 

God's Praise. 

All thy works shall praise thee, 0 Lord. — Ps. 
145 : 10. 

Happy who walks with Him ! whom what he 
finds 

Of flavor or of scent in fruit or flower, 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



89 



Or what he views of beautiful or grand 

In nature, from the broad majestic oak 

To the green blade that twinkles in the sun, 

Prompts with remembrance of a present God. 

We thank Thee that Thou hast nowhere left 
Thyself without a witness, but everywhere 
makest revelations of Thyself, where day unto 
day uttereth speech of Thee, and night unto 
night showeth knowledge ; yea, where there is 
no other voice nor language, Thou, Lord, speak- 
est, in Thine infinite wisdom and Thy boundless 
love. 

i&g 19. 
Individuality of Work. 

As every man hath received the gift, even so 
minister the same. — 1 Pet. 4:10. 

— — Each hath 
A path, his own, no other feet can tread. 
Nor doubt, because it winds round hills, with end 
Yet out of sight, it leads not home. For thee 
Tis mapped in wisdom's deepest love. 
In hope go forward, safe with God amidst 
The billows — safe when mighty hosts pursue; 
And know each duty brings its needed strength. 

O Lord, make me faithful. 



90 



WORD FOE THE DAY. 



Pag 20. 
The Joy of Giving. 

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how 
he said. It is more blessed to give than to receive. — 
Acts. 20 : 35. 

There is a wealth descending from the sky. 

That falls on every loyal gift we bring. 
A heavenly fragrance that can never die. 

Breathing through all our true heart-offering : 
If with each gift unselfish love we weave, 
"More blessed : tis to give than to receive." 

O Lord, may we know that blessing ; may we 
give unceasingly of all that which Thou hast be- 
stowed upon us — may we give cheerfully, gladly, 
wisely, bountifully. For the Great Giver's sake. 
Amen. 

W®& 21. 
The Rest. 

There the weary be at rest. — Job 3 : 17. 

Xo baffled hope can haunt, no doubt perplexes. 

No parted love the deep repose can chafe. 
Xo petty care can irk. no trouble vexes. 

From misconstruction his hushed heart is 
safe. 

Freed from the weariness of worldly fretting. 

From pain and failure, bootless toil and strife, 
From the dull wretchedness of vain regretting. 

He lies, whose course has passed away from 

life. 



WORD FOE THE BAY. 



91 



O God, take from me all fear of Death, 
Help me to trust Thy word, and cleave to Thy 
promises. 

Let me, looking forward to Thy rest, 
Work in hopefulness, and love and gladness. 

Stag 22. 
Sincerity in Prayer. 
When thou pray est, thou shalt not be as the hypo- 
crites are. — Matt. 6:5. 

Prayer is the souPs sincere desire, 

Uttered or unexpressed ; 
The motion of a hidden fire 

That trembles in the breast. 

Montgomery. 

Lord, teach us to pray. 

Pag 23. 
Repentance. 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash 
me, and I shall be whiter than snow. — Ps. 51 : 7. 
From my lips in their defilement, 
From my heart in its beguilement, 
From my tongue which speaks not fair, 
From my soul stained everywhere — 
O my Jesus, take my prayer. 

John of Damascus. 
O most dear Lord, whom I desire v\ r ith all de- 
votion to receive, Thou knowest my infirmity 
and the necessities which I feel ; by what evils 
and sins I am oppressed ; how often I arrr op- 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



pressed, tempted, disturbed, defiled. I come to 
Thee for a remedy, I beseech Thee to grant me 
consolation and relief. 

glag 24. 

Trueness. 

Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all 
your heart. — 1 Sam. 12 : 24. 

Think truly, and thy thought 
Shall the world's famine feed ; 

Speak truly, and thy word 
Shall be a fruitful seed ; 

Live truly, and thy life shall be 
A great and noble creed. 

BONAR. 

O Heavenly Father, Thou who art all Truth — 
help me. help me to be true towards Thee, 
towards my neighbor and to myself. 

Pag 25. 
Our Perfect Safety. 

The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by 
him. — Deut. 33 : 12. 

Be thou His happy child, 
Lord blest and reconciled ; 
Walk calmly on, each hour 
Safe in His love and power. 

BONAR. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to keep us in per- 
petual peace, as Thou hast vouchsafed us confi- 
dence in Thee ; through Christ Jesus our Lord. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



93 



pig 26. 

God Omnipresent. 

Whither shall I go from thy spirit f or whither 
shall I flee from thy presence f — Ps. 139 : 7. 

God is ever present, ever felt, 

In the void waste, as in the city full, 

And where He vital breathes, there must be joy. 

James Thomson. 

Thou alone art near even to those that 
remove far from Thee. O Lord, help us to turn 
and seek Thee ; for not as we have forsaken our 
Creator hast Thou forsaken Thy creation. Let 
us turn and seek Thee . . . Thou Lord who 
madest us, remarkest and comfortest us. 

PH)J 27. 

God in Nature. 

0 Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in 
wisdom hast thou made them all : the earth is full 
of thy riches. — Ps. 104 : 24. 

To heighten thy devotions, and keep low 

All mutinous thoughts, what business e'er 
thou hast, 

Observe God in His works ; here fountains flow, 
Birds sing, beasts feed, fish leap, and th' earth 
, * stands fast ; 

' Above are restless motions, running lights, 
Vast circling azure, giddy clouds, days, nights. 

Vaughan. 



94 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



For there is none like unto Thee, O God; 
there is none that can do the miracles which 
Thou doest. Thy works are very good, Thy 
judgments are true, and all things are governed 
by Thy providence. Praise therefore, and glory 
be unto Thee ; let my mouth, my soul, and all 
created things bless and praise Thee, O Lord. 

P*g 28. 

Small Services. 

Who hath despised the day of small things f — 
Zech. 4 : 10. 

Do thy little ; God hath made 
Million leaves for forest shade ; 
Smallest stars their glory bring, 
God employeth everything. 

O thou Maker of all things, great and small, 
enable me to remember that as the small rain 
falleth upon the tender herb, so the perform- 
ance of my small duties may be for the refresh- 
ment of some thirsting soul ; and that as the 
sparrow is not too small to escape Thine all- 
seeing eye, so my little services, and little 
struggles, and little victories over self may be 
well pleasing in Thy sight. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Itag 29. 
Give I 

Freely ye have received, freely give. — Matt. 
10 : 8. 

Almost the day of thy giving is over : 
Ere from the grass dies the bee-haunted clover 
Thou wilt have vanished from friend and from 
lover, 

What shall thy longing avail in thy grave ? 
Give as the heart gives, whose fetters are break- 
ing, 

Life, love, and hope, all thy dreams and trry 
waking, 

Soon, heaven's river thy soul-fever slaking, 
Thou shalt know God, and the gift that He gave. 

Rose Terry Cooke. 

O God, if I have received from Thee even 
one smile only, help me to share that life-giving 
joy with another. Amen. 

Pag 30. 

The Cross. 

He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after 
me, is not worthy of me. — Matt. 10 : 38. 

Heavi er the cross, the nearer Heaven. 

No cross without, no God within. 
Death, judgment, from the heart are driven 

Amid the world's false glare and din. 



96 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Oh ! happy he, with all his loss, 
Whom God hath let beneath the cross. 

Benjamin Schmolk. 

Thou alone knowest what is good for me ; 
Thou art Lord of all ; do, therefore, what seem- 
eth Thee best. Give to me, or take from me ; 
conform my will to Thine ; and grant . . . that 
I may equally adore every dispensation which 
will come to me from Thy hand. 

3™ 31. 
The Loving Heart. 

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and 
his love is perfected in us. — 1 John 4 : 12. 

He serves Thee best who loveth most 
His brothers and Thy own. 
Thy litanies, sweet offices 
Of love and gratitude ; 

Thy sacramental liturgies 
The joy of doing good. 

Whittier. 

Grant that the exercise of our powers of as- 
sistance may only be limited by our capacity to 
help. And oh, our Father ! we know that we 
can only help as we are helped by Thee. Keep 
thou our hand closely clasped in Thine, and 
then only can the other hand be stretched out 
to a troubled or needy one with safety. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



or 



|mu 1. 
The Lord's Garden. 

My beloved is gone down into his garden. — Sol- 
omon's Song 6 : 2. 
Doth He require at thy hands aught but this ? 

To let thy garden show itself so fair 
That others seeing it, shall straightway go 
And till the portions given to their care. 

O Master, help me to work unceasingly, that 
Thou mayest find flowers of humility, patience, 
gentleness — flowers of truth, of justice, of love 
to Thee and to man — fadeless flowers of right- 
eousness like unto the flowers of heaven, thine 
abode. 

fime 2. 
The Heart's Longings. 

0 that I had wings like a dove! for then woidd 
I fly away, and be at rest. — Ps. 55 : 6. 

Wings ! Wings ! 
To leave the level of earthly things ; 
The dust of the under world ; the din 
Of law and logic ; the ghost of sin ; 
The eyes of prisoners at the grate ; 
The voice of beggars beside the gate ; 
The sense of something averse to good — ■ 
A warped intention — a vicious mood 
In the face of nature ; a sense more keen 
Of lapse and breakage and death within ; 
The self that stifles, and clings, and stings ; 

Wings ! wings ! 



98 



WORD FOE THE DAT. 



Help me in all my aspirations to remember 
that Thou, the All-high, were content to tread 
the earth, uplifting all life's common duties 
into high service, 

$twe 3. 
Prayer for Holiness. 

Wow the God of peace . . . make you perfect m 
every good work to do his will, working in you that 
which is well pleasing in his sight. — Heb. 13 : 20, 
21. 

What is foul, oh ! purify, 
Water what in us is dry, 

All our hurts alleviate, 
Bend our temper's rigidness, 
Warm our nature's frigidness, 

Bring back all who deviate. 

Give them who in Thee abide, 
All that do in Thee confide, 

Give them grace increasingly : 
Give to virtue its reward, 
Saving end to all accord, 

Joy in heaven unceasingly. 

Robert II., King of France. 

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, 
vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, 
and govern both our hearts and bodies in the 
ways of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy com- 
mandments. Amen, 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



99 



|une 4. 
Peace. 

When he giveth quietness, wlxo then can make 
trouble. — Job 34 : 29. 

So, to the soul that knows Thy love, O Purest, 
There is a temple, peaceful evermore ; 

And all the bubble of life's angry voices 
Die in hushed stillness at its sacred door. 

H. B. Stowe. 

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of 
world, grant us Thy peace. 

fune 5. 

God's Fear. 

Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God ac- 
ceptably with reverence and godly fear. — Heb. 
12: 28. 

Let knowledge grow from more to more, 
But more of reverence in us dwell ; 
That mind and soul, according well, 

May make one music as before. 

Tennyson. 

O God, who by the prophet's voice dost pro- 
nounce those blessed that fear Thee; grant us 
to render an acceptable obedience in Thy fear, 
and make us henceforth to walk in Thy ways ; 
and let our work under Thy direction be pleas- 
ing in Thy sight, and its fruit be sweet in the 
day of reward. 



100 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



June 6. 
Character Building. 

Behold, I purpose to build an house unto the 
name of the Lord my God. — 1 Kings 5:5. 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God. — 1 
Cor. 3 : 16. 

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, 

As the swift seasons roll ! 

Leave thy low-vaulted past ! 
Let each new temple, nobler than the last, 
Shut thee frorrj heaven with a dome more vast, 

Till thou at length art free, 
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting 
sea. 

O. W. Holmes. 

We beseech Thee that every one of us may 
attempt to build up the world, by building so 
much of it as lies in our own character, in our 
own development. May we feel that it is ours 
to put one more fair stone on the walls of Jeru- 
salem on earth. May we therefore become more 
conscientious and equitable, more pure and 
moral, more truthful and truth-loving; may we 
be clothed with love as with a garment ; may we 
learn to discern Thy ways by a holy intuition. 



WORD FOR TEE DAY. 



101 



fune 7. 

Our Great Friend. 

I have called you friends. — John 15 : 15. 

If any touch my friend, or his good name, 
It is my honor and my love to free His blasted 
fame 

From the least spot or thought of blame. 
I could not use a friend as I use Thee. 

Herbert. 

Dear Lord, who hast honored Thine unworthy 
servants with so high a title, grant that we, 
learning from our hallowed earthly bonds, the 
duties of loving friends, may realize how un- 
grateful we have been towards Thee, the first, 
the best, the only Friend, and repenting, turn 
with loving hearts to Thee. 

$iwe 8. 

Judgments. 

Therefore thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever 
thou art, that judgest. — Bom. 2:1. 

How shall we guess the whole, who can only 

guess a part ? 
How can we read the life, when we cannot spell 

the heart ? 

How shall we measure another, we who can 

never know, 
From the juttings above the surface, the depth 

of the vein below. 

F. R. Havergal. 



102 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



0 Lord, suffer me not to judge according to 
the sight of my bodily eyes, nor to form my 
opinions according to the hearing of the ears of 
foolish men ; but to have a true and just dis- 
cernment. 

fune 9. 

Our Charge. 

Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in 
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in 
purity. — 1 Tim. 4 : 12. 

Briefly, do as thou would'st be done unto, 
Love God, and love thy neighbor ; watch 
and pray. 

These are the words and works of life ; this do 
And live ; who doth not thus, hath lost 
heaven's way. 

Vaughan. 

1 entreat Thee, O Lord, to work in me all 
those qualifications of the Christian temper 
which may render it peculiarly acceptable to 
Thee, and may prove ornamental to my profes- 
sion in the world. Renew, I beseech Thee, a 
right spirit within me, make me an Israelite in- 
deed, in whom is allowed no guile. 

fime lO. 

Fruitfulness. 

Being fruitful in every good work. — Col. 1:10. 

So should we live, that every hour 
Should die, as dies a natural flower — 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



103 



A self-reviving thing of power ; 
That every thought and every deed 
May hold within itself the seed 
Of future good and future need. 

Lord Houghton. 

O Lord, grant unto us the fruitfulness of 
thought, grant unto us the power of the higher 
nature in things intellectual and moral, that we 
may be a light to those who are in darkness. 
And everywhere that we go, may there be that 
courage, that good cheer, that bountifulness, 
that patience, that gentleness, that fortitude in 
suffering, that abundance in good works in 
every way which shall make men behold our 
Lord and Master in us. 

$mte ll. 

Prayer for Instruction. 

The earth, 0 Lord, is full of thy mercy : teach 
me thy statutes. — Ps. 119 : 64. 

O Father-eye, that hath so truly watched, 

O Father-hand, that hath so gently led, 
O Father-heart, that by my prayer is touched, 

That loved me first when I was cold and dead. 
Still do Thou lead me on with faithful care, 

The narrow path to heaven where I would go, 
And train me for the life that waits me there, 

Alike through love and loss, through weal 
and woe. 

Spitta. 



104 



WORD FOE THE DAY. 



Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes. 
Give me understanding. Make me to go in the 

path of Thy Commandment. 
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies. 
Quicken me in Thy righteousness. 

fiwe 12. 
The Day's Duty. 

Ever follow that which is good, both among 
yourselves, and to all men. — 1 Thess. 5:15. 

To keep my troth unshaken, 

Though others may deceive ; 
To give with willing pleasure ; 

Or still with joy receive ; 
To bring the mourner comfort, 

To wipe sad tears away ; 
To help the timid doubter — 

This is my work to-day. 

Give me grace to Jove my neighbor as myself. 
. . . to hate all lying, fraud and wrong. Give 
me a tender conscience, a meek and quiet spirit, 
a charitable, a humble, and a contented mind. 

$itite 13. 
Love. 

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and 
understand all mysteries and all knowledge ; and 
though I have all faith, so that I could remove 
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. — 
1 Cor. 13 : 2. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



105 



Science, with her keen-eyed glance, 

All the wisdom of the world, 
Mysteries that the soul entrance, 

Faith that mighty hills had hurled 
From their ancient feats ; — all this 

Wherein man takes most his pride, 

Valueless is cast aside, 
If the spirit there we miss 

That can work from love alone, 

Not from pride in what is known. 

Ernest Lange. 

Good Jesus, make us to love Thee, each other 
in Thee, 

And meet before Thee, to dwell in Thine ever- 
lasting love. 

$tme 14. 
Work. 

We exhort . . . that with quietness they work, 
and eat their own bread. — 2 Thes. 3 : 12. 

Work may be drudgery ; it is so only 

When we leave God out of the task he gives, 

Or choose our own apart from Him — a lonely 
Treadmill of selfishness, where no joy lives. 

Teach us, O our God, that we may do even 
the humblest work with a high regard, and thus 
sanctify it, and make ourselves more fit to be 
the children of an ever-working God. 



106 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



jttrrje 15. 
Confidence. 

Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice. — 
Ps. 5 : 11. 

Leave God to order all thy ways, 

And trust in Him whate'er betide ; 
Thou'lt find Him in the evil days 

Thine all sufficient help and guide. 
Who trusts in God's unchanging love, 
Builds on a rock that naught can move. 

George Neumark. 

O God, who never failest to help and govern 
them whom Thou dost bring up in Thy stead- 
fast fear and love ; grant, I pray Thee, that I 
may lean only on the hope of Thy heavenly 
grace, and in all my troubles put my whole trust 
and confidence in Thy mercy, casting all my 
care upon Thee, and being careful for nothing 
but to keep Thy testimonies, and to think upon 
Thy commandments to do them. 

|mu 16. 
More Faith. 
Lord I believe : help thou mine unbelief. — Mark 
9 : 24. 

I stretch lame hands of faith, and grope 
And gather dust and chaff, and call 
To what I feel is Lord of all, 

And faintly trust the larger hope. 

Tennyson. 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



107 



I beseech Thee, Lord, teach me to seek Thee, 
and show Thyself to the seeker ; because I caa 
neither seek Thee, unless Thou teach me, nor 
find Thee, unless Thou show Thyself to me ; let 
me seek Thee in desiring Thee, and desire Thee 
in seeking Thee; let me find Thee in loving 
Thee, and love Thee in finding Thee. 

IttttC 17. 
God's Requirement. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : 
Fear G-od, and keep his commandments : for this 
is the whole duty of man. — Eccl. 12 : 13. 

What asks our Father of His children, save 

Justice and mercy and humility, 
A reasonable service of good deeds, 
Pure living, tenderness to human needs, 
Reverence and trust, and prayer for light to see, 
The Master's footprints in our daily ways ? 

Make me to walk in Thy ways. Give me 
the strength to do that which is righteous in 
Thy sight. 

fune 18. 
Death is Life. 

God is not the God of the dead, but of the 
living. — Matt. 22 : 32. 

They are not lost ; they are within the door 
That shuts out loss and every hurtful thing, 



108 



WORD FOR THE DAY, 



With angels bright and loved ones gone before, 
In their Redeemer's presence evermore, 
And God Himself, their Lord, and Judge, and 
King. 

O give us the Christian's faith and hope, that 
we may discern beyond the planting, and see 
what is the resurrection, the joy and the glory 
of that which is beyond. 

|mu 19. 
The Test. 

By their fruits ye shall know them. — Matt. 7 : 
20. 

Call him not heretic whose works attest 
His faith in goodness by no creed confessed, 
Whatever in love's name is truly done 
To free the bound, and lift the fallen one, 
Is done to Christ. Whoso in deed and word 
Is not against Him, labors for our Lord. 

Whittier. 

O Father, increase in me the spirit of true 
charity, enable me to love all goodness, wherever 
found, knowing that goodness can come no- 
where but from Thee. 

ftwe 20. 
The Almightiness of God. 

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is 
mighty : he will save, he will rejoice over thee with 
joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee 
with singing. — Zeph. 3 : 17. 



YiORB FOR THE DAY. 



109 



O little heart of mine ! shall pain 
Or sorrow make thee moan, 

When all this God is all for thee, 
A Father all thine own. 

Faber. 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and 
honor, and power, for Thou hast created all 
things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were 
created. Great and marvellous are Thy works, 
O Lord God Almighty : just and true are Thy 
ways, Thou King of saints. Thy wisdom is in- 
finite, Thy mercies are glorious, and I am not 
worthy, O Lord, to appear in Thy presence, 
before whom the angels hide their faces. 

Imu 21. 

< Do the Next Thing." 

Whatsoever thy hand flndeth to do, do it with 
thy might. — Eccl. 9 : 10. 

Do it immediately, 

Do it with prayer, 
Do it reliantly, 

Casting off care. 
Do it with reverence, 

Tracing His hand 
Who hath placed it before thee 

With earnest command. 
Stayed on omnipotence, 

Safe 'neath His wing, 
Leave all resultings — 

" Doe ye nexte thynge." 



110 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Help us, Lord, to be vigilant in the discerning 
of our duty. 

Help us to have strength for its performance. 

|mte 22. 
Idolatry. 

My dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. — 1 Cor. 
10 : 14. 

To own a God who does not speak to men, 
Is first to own, and then disown again ; 
Of all idolatry, the total sum 
Is having gods that are both deaf and dumb. 

Byron. 

Lord, save me from this sin. Let me never 
doubt that Thou art the Creator of all things, 
and that Thou delightest to bless, to strengthen, 
to perfect the works of Thy hand. Deepen ray 
faith in Thee as a living, loving, ever-present 
God. Amen. 

ftwe 23. 
Our Source of Strength. 

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my 
deliverer; my G-od, my strength, in whom I will 
trust ; my buckler, and the Twrn of my salvation, 
and my high tower. — Ps. 18 : 2. 

A mighty fortress is our God, 

A bulwark never failing; 
Our Helper He, amid the flood 

Of mortal ills prevailing. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Ill 



For still our ancient foe 
Doth seek to work his woe ; 
His craft and power are great, 
And armed with cruel hate, 
On earth is not his equal. 

Luther. 

In our weakness, O God, we fly to Thee for 
strength — help us, save us, and fortify us for 
battle. Grant us the victory against the power 
and the craftiness of sin. 

fun* 24. 

Spiritual Life. 

To be spiritually minded is life and peace. — 
Rom. 8 : 6. 

He liveth long who liveth well ! 

All other life is short and vain ; 
He liveth longest who can tell 

Of living most for heavenly gain. 

Bonar. 

Take from me all evil imaginations ; all im- 
purity of thought ; all envy, pride and hypoc- 
risy ; all falsehood, deceit, and an irregular life ; 
all covetousness, vainglory and sloth ; all 
malice, anger and wrath ; all remembrance of 
injuries; everything that is contrary to Thy 
will, O most holy God. 



112 WORD FOR THE DAY. 



$tW£ 25. 

Gentleness. 

Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, for- 
giving one another. — Eph. 4 : 32. 

Teach me to live ! with kindly words for all ; 

Wearing no cold, repulsive brow of gloom ; 
Waiting with cheerful patience, till Thy call 

Summon my spirit to her heavenly home. 

Parish Visitor. 

Lord, make me this day to be kind to my 
fellow-men, to be gentle and unselfish, careful 
to hurt no one by word or deed, but anxious to 
do good to all, and to make others happy. 

fmte 26. 
Fortitude. 

Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ. —2 Tim. 2 : 3. 

I want a sober mind, 

A self-renouncing will 
That tramples down, and casts behind 

The baits of pleasing ill. 
A soul inured to pain, 

To hardship, grief and loss — 
Bold to take up, firm to sustain, 

The consecrated cross. 

Charles Wesley. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



113 



Be with me, Lord, and help me. Let me over- 
come love of pleasure by self-denial, love of 
money by freely giving, heat of temper by 
gentleness, lukewarmness by earnestness. 

|[ trite 27. 

Daily Sacrifice. 

And they brought yet unto him free offerings 
every morning. — Ex. 36 : 3. 

Come, my soul, awake, 'tis morning, 
Day is dawning 

O'er the earth, arise and pray ; 
Come to Him who made this splendor, 
Thou must render 

All thy feeble powers can pay. 

Bid Him bless what thou art doing 
If pursuing 

Some good aim ; but if there lurks 
111 intent in thine endeavor, 
May He ever 

Thwart and turn thee from thy works. 

Von Canitz. 

Look mercifully, O Lord, on the morning 
prayers of Thy suppliants, and enlighten with 
Thy healing goodness the secrets of our heart; 
that no dark desires may have possession of 
those whom the light of heavenly grace has re- 
newed ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 



114 



WOBD FOB THE DAY. 



hnxt 28. 
Holiness. 

Create in me a clean heart, 0 God ; and renew a 
right spirit within me. — Ps. 51 : 10. 

More holiness give me, 

More sweetness within, 
More patience in suffering, 

More sorrow for sin. 
More faith in my Saviour, 

More sense of His care ; 
More joy in His service, 

More purpose in prayer. 

Sanctify, O Lord, our souls and bodies and 
spirits, and touch our apprehensions, and search 
out our consciences, and cast out of us even- 
evil thought, every base desire, all envy and 
pride and hypocrisy, all falsehood, all deceit, all 
worldly anxiety, all covetousness, vainglory 
and sloth, all malice, all wrath, all anger, all re- 
membrance of injuries, all blasphemy, and every 
motion of the flesh and spirit that is contrary to 
Thy holy will. 

| arte 29. 
Service. 

Serve h im ivith a perfect heart and with a will- 
ing mind. — 1 Cheon. 28 : 9. 

So nigh to grandeur is our dust, 

So nigh to God is man, 
"When Duty whispers low "Thou must," 
The soul replies " I can." 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



115 



When our duty seems burdensome to us, O 
Lord, no less than when it is pleasant, help us 
to so strengthen our wills, that we may not only 
perform it according to the best of our ability, 
but that we may do so willingly and gladly, and 
with a perfect mind. 

|m» 30. 
Eternity. 

The gift of God is eternal life. — Rom. 6 : 23. 

Eternity ! Eternity ! 
How long art thou, eternity ! 
They who lived poor and naked, rest 
With God, for ever rich and blest, 
And love and praise the Highest Good 
In perfect bliss and gladsome mood. 
Ponder, O man, Eternity ! 

Wulffer. 

O Lord, make us fit to live in thine Eternity. 

Walking with God. 

I have set the Lord always hefore me. — Ps. 16 : 8. 

I leave Thee not ; Thy word my way shall 
brighten ; 

With Thee I go 

Through weal and woe, 
Thy precept wise shall ever burden lighten. 



116 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



My Lord, on Thee I hang, 
Nor heed the journey's pang, 
Though thorny be my lot ; 
Let but Thy word enlighten, 
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not. 
Wolfgang Christoph Dessler. 

O Lord, who hast suffered, who hast been 
tempted, who hast felt all that a human heart 
can feel of sinless grief and pain, Thou art my 
Refuge, my Comfort, and my Helper. To Thee 
I fly, near Thee I would abide. 

l«Ig 2. 
Walking with God. 

I have set the Lord always oefore me. — Ps. 16 : 8. 

I leave Thee not, even in the lap of pleasure ; 
For, when I stray 
Without Thy ray, 

My richest joy must cease to be a treasure. 
I shudder at the glee, 
When no delight from Thee 
Has heartfelt peace begot : 
Even in the lap of pleasure, 
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not. 
Wolfgang Christoph Dessler. 

O Thou source of all pure joys, Thou maker 
of sunshine, and beauty, and gladness, help me 
to realize that Thy father-heart rejoices in my 
happiness, and to cling closer and ever closer to 
Thee in love and gratitude. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Ill 



Ittlg.3. 

Our Unfailing Helper. 

For in thee, 0 Lord, do I hope : thou wilt hear, 
0 Lord, my God.—Ts. 38 : 15. 

Do many troubles press ? Thou canst resolve 
The doubts or dangers such concerns involve. 
Are those I love the cause of anxious care ? 
Thou canst unbind the burdens they may bear. 

Wisdom hast Thou, O Lord, tender pity for 
all who suffer, strength and power to assist. 
May I ever choose Thee as my counsellor, fly to 
Thee for comfort, and rely upon Thee to help 
me in the time of need. 

Our King. 

He hath not dealt so with any nation. — Ps. 
147 : 20. 

O God, amen ! We thank Thee for the grace — 
The glory of the grace that on this land 

Has beamed in sunshine from Thy smiling face, 
And streamed in bounty from Thine open 
hand. 

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine her- 
itage. 

Govern them, and lift them up forever. 



118 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



|al| 5. 
Quietness of Soul. 

Godliness with contentment is great gain. — 1 
Tim. 6 : 6. 

Save me alike from foolish pride 

Or impious discontent, 
At aught Thy wisdom has denied, 

Or aught Thy goodness lent. 

Pofe. 

Vouchsafe us, O Lord, Thy heavenly grace, 
that we may learn, in whatever state we are, 
therewith to be content : may we so learn to do 
and endure Thy will, that at length through the 
discipline here undergone, we may be fitted for 
Thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, 

julg 6. 

God's Will. 

Thy wiU be done in earth, as it is in heaven, — 
Matt. 6 : 10. 

The child who prays in faith " Thy will be done," 
Is blended with that Will Supreme which moves 
A wilderness of worlds by Thought untrod ; 
He shares the starry sceptre and the throne. 

De Vere. 

I dare not ask either crosses or comforts ; I 
only present myself before Thee. I open my 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



119 



heart to Thee. Behold my wants, which I 
myself am ignorant of : but do Thou behold, and 
do according to Thy mercy. I abandon myself 
to Thee. I have no more any desire but to ac- 
complish Thy will. Lord, teach me how to 
pray. 

Power of Words. 

Behold, how great a matter a little fire Tcin- 
dleih ! — James 3:5. 

Only one little word ; 

But it stirred the depths of a living heart, 
And there, through the ) r ears and the changes 
of life, 

With its blessing and glory, its darkness and 
strife, 

The soul of that little word shall abide 
And nevermore depart. 

Put away from me all bitterness, and wrath, 
and anger, and evil speaking, with all malice ; 
and grant that in honor preferring others, I 
may walk in love, even as Thou, Lord, lovedst 
me. Amen, 

inb 8. 

Bounties to be Shared. 

There is that scatter eth, and yet increaseth ; and 
there is that withholdeth more than is meet, out it 
tendeth to poverty. — Prov. 11 : 24. 



120 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Is thy cruse of comfort failing? 

Rise and share it with another. 
And through all the years of famine 

It shall serve thee and thy brother. 
Love divine will rill thy storehouse, 

Or thy handful still renew ; 
Scanty fare for one will often 
Make a royal feast for two. 

Elizabeth Runale Charles. 
O Father, who of Thy great love to us art 
always giving us richly of all things to enjoy, 
grant that I may have the giving heart, which 
loves to share with others, not only the material 
things of life, but all comfort, happiness, wisdom, 
and knowledge. 

hxlv 9. 
Prayer for Guidance. 

T h o u art my i v ok a nd my fo rt ress : th e refo re 
for thy names sake lead me, and guide me. — Ps. 
31 : 3. 

If dangers gather round. 

Still keep me calm and fearless :' 
Help me to bear the cross 

When life is dark and cheerless ; 
To overcome my foe 

With words and actions kind ; 
When counsel I would know. 

Good Counsel let me find. 

J OH ANN HEERMAXX. 

Guide, strengthen and accept me. gracious 
Lord, in all my works and ways, for the sake of 
Thy son. our Saviour. Jesus Christ. Amen. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



121 



fulg 10. 
God's Methods. 

My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech 
shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the 
tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. — 
Deut. 32 : 2. 

We pray for growth and strength ; grief's 

dreaded showers 
- May be, in God's wise purpose, ripening rain ; 
He only knows how all our highest powers 
Are perfected in pain. 

O Lord, I beseech Thee that I may grow more 
like unto Thee ; yea, although the answer to 
my prayer can come only through pain and 
trial, loss and care, yet do I pray — make me 
like Thee, my Master and my Lord, Amen. 

fttlg 11. 

Death is Life. 

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living : 
for all live unto him. — Luke 20 : 38. 

There is no Death — the stars go down 
To rise upon some fairer shore ; 

And bright in heaven's jewelled crown 
They shine for evermore. 

There is no Death. An angel form 
Walks o'er the earth with silent tread, 

And bears our best loved things away 
And then we call them dead. 



122 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Help me, O Lord, firmly to believe that mor- 
tality is swallowed up in life — and so to feel 
that those whom I have loved, and whom Thou 
hast in Thy wisdom taken from me, are not 
dead, but living in Thy presence. 

|ulg 12. 

Approaehableness of God. 

Before they call, I will answer ; and while they 
are yet speaking, I will hear. — Isa. 65 : 24. 
Of what an easy, quick access, 

My blessed Lord, art Thou ! how suddenly 
May our requests Thine ear invade ! 

To show that state dislikes not easiness, 
If I but lift mine eyes, my suit is made : 

Thou canst no more not hear than Thou canst 
die. 

Herbert. 

I will praise Thy name for Thy loving kind- 
ness and for Thy truth ; for Thou hast magni- 
fied Thy word above all Thy name. In the day 
when I cried Thou answeredst me and strength- 
en edst me with strength in my soul. 

lute 13. 
Generosity. 

Give, and it shall be given unto you. — Luke 6 : 38. 
For the heart grows rich in giving, 

All its wealth is living grain, 
Seeds which mildew in the garner, 
Scattered, fill with gold the plain. 

Mrs. Charles. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



123 



O Lord Jesus Christ, who, though Thou wast 
rich, yet for our sakes didst become poor, grant 
that all overeagerness and covetousness of 
earthly goods may die in us, and the desire of 
heavenly things may live and grow in us ; keep 
us from all idle and vain expenses, that we may 
always have to give to him that needeth, and 
that giving not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but 
cheerfully, we may be made through Thy merits 
partakers of the riches of Thy heavenly treas- 
ure. Amen, 

14. 

Sorrow Needful. 

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery 
trial which is to try you. — 1 Pet. 4:12. 

Wrung from the troubled spirit, in hard hours 
Of weakness, solitude, perchance of pain, 

Truth springs, like harvest from the well- 
ploughed field, 
And the soul feels it has not wept in vain. 

Let me never murmur, be dejected, or impa- 
tient, under any of the troubles of this life ; but 
ever find rest and comfort in this : this is the 
will of my Father and of my God : grant this for 
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



124 



WORD FOR THE DAT, 



flllg 15. 
Loyalty. 

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our law- 
giver, the Lord is our king. — Isa. 33 : 22. 

Oh, take this heart that I would give 
For ever to be all Thine own ; 

I to myself no more would live ; 

Come, Lord, be Thou my King alone. 

Yes, take my heart, and in it rule, 

Direct it as it pleases Thee ; 
I will be silent in Thy school, 

And learn whate'er Thou teachest me. 

Tersteegen. 

Order my steps in Thy word : and let not any 
iniquity have dominion over me. 

gftfe 16. 

Performance Better than Profession. 

Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers- only, 
deceiving your own selves. — James 1 : 22. 

Talk not of feelings, and of frames 
When duties round thee lie, 

They are but empty sounds and names, 
These a reality. 

Waste not thy life in idle dreams 

Of what thy life should be, 
But live it — use it — for it teems 

With tasks for thee and me. 

Monsell. 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



125 



Self-contemplation, idleness, and false senti- 
ment cast far from me, O Lord. 

Activity, wisdom, patience and perseverance 
grant unto me, I beseech Thee. 

fttlg 17. 

True Rest. 

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of 
God. . . Let us labor therefore to enter into that 
rest. — Heb. 4 : 9, 11. 

Rest is not quitting 

This busy career ; 
Rest is the fitting 

Of self to its sphere. 

Goethe. 

From sloth, inactivity, indifference, 

O Lord deliver us. 
Into the rest of service and happiness, 

O Lord admit us. 

I»lg 18. 

Indecision. 

He that waver eth is like a wave of the sea, driven 
vrith the wind and tossed. — James 1:6. 

Waste not so much time in weighing 
When and where thou shalt begin ; 

Too much thinking is delaying, 
Rivets but the chain of sin. 



126 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



He will help thee and provide thee 
With a courage not thine own, 

Bear thee in His arms and guide thee 
Till thou learn'st to walk alone. 

Spitta. 

Give me, O Lord, a mind prompt to decide, a 
heart fervent to love, a purpose not to be 
shaken, a perseverance never to be discouraged 
in Thy service. 

i*ig 19. 

Death is Life. 

Our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . hath abolished 
death, and hath brought life and immortality to 
light. — 2 Tim. 1 : 10. 

I think that Death has two sides to it — 
One sunny and one dark ; as this round earth 
Is every day half sunny and half dark, 
We on the dark side call the mystery Death ; 
They on the other, looking down in light, 
"Wait the glad Birth, with other tears than ours. 

George MacDonald. 
As men wait and watch for the morning* 
through the weariness of the hours of the night, 
so may it be given us to long for our rest — to 
be homesick for heaven. Thus we beseech of 
Thee that we may be drawn toward Thee in 
spirit as well as in expectation, so that, at last, 
when the permission shall come, and the wel- 
come angel shall appear to call us home, we 
may rise with great joy and seek our Father's 
house. 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



127 



|ulg 20. 
The Holy Spirit. 

Would God that all the Lord's people were 
prop7iets, and that the Lord would put his spirit 
upon them! — Num. 11 : 29, 

Thou art the Spirit of all love, 

The Friend of kindly life, 
Thou wouldst not that our hearts should prove 

The pangs of wrath and strife. 
Thou hatest hatred's withering reign, 

In souls that discord maketh dark 

Dost Thou rekindle love's bright spark, 
And make them one again. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

May the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, O 
Lord, cleanse our hearts, and make them fruit- 
ful with its plenteous dew ; through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

Ittlg 21. 
Heartfelt Repentance. 

For L desired mercy, and not sacrifice. — Hose a 
6 : 6. 

'Tis not enough to weep my sins; 

Tis but one step to heaven : 
When I am kind to others, then 

I know myself forgiven. 

Faber. 

Give me a true and heartfelt repentance of 
my sins, O Holy Father, but save me from 



128 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



morbid introspection and self-indulgent mourn- 
ing. Enable me to forget self in honest and 
hearty endeavors after righteousness, and in 
merciful deeds towards my neighbor. 
For Christ's sake. Amen. 

|»lg 22. 

Our Maker. 

Hath not the potter power over the clay f — Rom. 
9 : 21. 

Ah ! make me, Father, anything Thou wilt, 
So be Thou will it, I am safe with Thee. 

MacDonald. 

I recognize Thy will, O Lord, as fulfilled in 
the motions of the stars, in the order of the 
seasons, and in the events of life. Let that will 
be accomplished also in me ; let it be my de- 
light, let it sweeten every trial. 

fttlg 23. 

Quietness of Spirit. 

Be not, therefore, anxious for the morrow : for 
the morrow will be anxious for itself (Revised 
Ver.). — Matt. 6 : 34. 

Must my life go on thus to its closing? 
Lord, hold fast this restless heart of mine ; 
Put Thy arm about me when I shiver, 
Make me feel Thy presence all the way. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



129 



Hope and fear, and travail and reposing, 
All by Thee are cared for, all are Thine, 
Quick to help, sufficient to deliver, 
Near in sun and shade, in night and day. 

O most loving Father . . . preserve us from 
faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant 
that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from 
us the light of that Love which is immortal, and 
which Thou hast manifested unto us in Thy 
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

gttlg 24. 

Our Refuge in Temptation. 

For in that he himself hath suffered, being 
tempted, he is able to succor them that are 
tempted. — Heb. 2 : 18. 

If aught should tempt my soul to stray 
From heavenly wisdom's narrow way, 
To fly the good I would pursue, 
Or do the sin I would not do, — 
Still He who felt temptation's power 
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. 

Sir Robert Grant. 

Lead us not into temptation, 
But deliver us from evil. 



130 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



$nlg 25. 
The Fear of the Lord. 

Ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord, — Ps. 135 : 
20. 

O Thou art greatly to be feared 
Thou art so prompt to bless ! 

The dread to miss such love as Thine 
Makes fear but love's excess. 

Faber. 

Grant me, O Lord, 

The fear which trembles at the thought of sin, 
The terror of straying from. Thy side, 
The dread of forfeiting Thine approval, 
The fear which is the essence of true love. 

Jitlg 26. 

Our Example. 

It is enough for the disciple tliat he be as his 
master, — Matt. 10 : 25. 

If wounded love my bosom swell, . 
Deceived by those I prized too well, 
He shall His pitying aid bestow 
Who felt on earth severer woe, 
At once betrayed, denied, or fled, 
By those who shared His daily bread. 

Sir Robert Grant. 

Good Jesus, who emptiedst Thyself for love of 
us, 

Make me glad to be humbled, that I may be 
humble with Thee. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



131 



2Mb 27. 

Prayer. 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from 
whence cometh my help. — Ps. 121 : 1. 

Tis like a narrow valley land, 

This earthly way of mine ; 
Before me, clad in glory grand, 

I see the hills divine — 
Those heights the saintly long have trod — 
The hills of Hope, the hills of God. 

Both now and ever, vouchsafe to hear us, O 
Christ. 

Graciously hear us, O Christ : graciously hear 
us, O Lord Christ. 

Ittlg 28. 

The Worthiest Ambition. 

Thou, 0 man of God . . . follow after right- 
eousness. — 1 Tim. 6:11. 

Up, my soul ! with clear sedateness 

Read Heaven's law, writ bright and broad ; 

Up ! a sacrifice to greatness, 
Truth and goodness, — up to God. 

Up to labor ! from thee shaking 
Off the bonds of sloth, be brave ! 

Give thyself to prayer and waking; 
Toil some fainting heart to save ! 

Frederika Bremer. 



132 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Order my steps in Thy word, and so shall no 
wickedness have dominion over me. Lead me 
forth in Thy truth, and teach me ; for Thou art 
the God of my salvation ; in Thee hath been my 
hope all the day long. 

|rilg 29. 

Well-doing. 

To do good and to communicate forget not : for 
with such sacrifices God is well pleased. — Heb. 
13 : 16. 

Count that day lost 

Whose low descending sun 

Views from thy hand 
No worthy action done. 

Graciously guide us and rule in us, so that we 
may both know what we ought to do, and be 
strong to fulfill the same. 

$ttlg SO. 

Our Worth. 

Ye are of more value than many sparrows. — 
Matt. 10 : 31. 

Is thy path lonely? fear it not, for He 

Who marks the sparrow's fall is guiding thee. 

And not a star shines o'er thy head by night, 

But He doth know that it will meet thy sight. 

And not a joy can beautify thy lot 

But tells thee still that thou art unforgot. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



133 



Nay, not a grief can darken, or surprise, 

Dwell in thy heart, or dim with tears thine eyes, 

But it is sent in mercy and in love 

To bid thy helplessness seek strength above. 

O God, who never failest to help and govern 
them whom Thou dost bring up in Thy stead- 
fast fear and love ; grant that . . . in all my 
troubles I may put my whole trust and confi- 
dence in Thy mercy, casting all my care upon 
Thee, and being careful for nothing but to keep 
Thy testimonies, and to think upon Thy com- 
mandments to do them. 

lulg 31. 

To God the Praise. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may 
see your good works, and glorify your Father 
which is in heaven. — Matt. 5 : 16. 

Cast down thyself, and only strive to raise 
The story of thy Master's sacred name : 

Use all thy powers, that blessed Power to praise 
Which gives the power to be and use the 
same. 

Sir John Davies. 

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the 
glory. 



134 



WORD FOB THE BAY. 



gotgust l. 

Instructions of Nature. 

Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee. — Job 
12 : 8. 

O ever earnest earth ! 

Doing thy Maker's work, 
Fulfilling His great will, 

With all thy morns and evens ; 
Teach me thy earnest ways, 

That mine may be a life of steadfast work and 
praise. 

Bonar. 

Open Thou mine eyes, O Lord, that I may be- 
hold wondrous things out of Thy law — the law 
which Thou hast written in every blade, and 
leaf, and flower, in the rocks and the sand, and 
in every work of Thy hand. A?nen. 

The Use of Suffering. 

JYo chastening for the present seemeth to be joy- 
ous, but grievous : nevertheless, afterward it yield- 
eth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them 
which are exercised thereby. — Heb. 12 : 11. 

How often one dead joy appears 
The platform of some better hope ! 

And, let us own, the sharpest smart 
Which human patience may endure, 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



135 



Pays light for that which leaves the heart 
More generous, dignified, an5 pure. 

Coventry Patmore. 

O Lord, when Thou sendest to us the ladder 
of suffering, may we not lie beneath it, crushed 
and moaning ; but seizing upon its rounds, may 
we mount upon them even unto Thy throne. 

SUgnst S. 
The Wise Choice. 

If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast 
it from thee. — Matt. 5 : 30. 

When inconsistent with the greater good, 
Reason commands to cast the less away ; 
Thus life, with loss of wealth, is well preserved, 
And virtue cheaply saved, with loss of life. 

Grant us wisdom, Lord, to choose aright, and 
grant us courage, perseverance and self-denial, 
to the end that we may maintain our choice. 

For Christ's sake. Amen, 

gUgust 4. 
The Eternal Memory. 
Yet will I not forget thee. — Isa. 49 : 15. 

Ah no ! God ne'er forgets His own, 

His heart is far too true, 
He ever seeks their good alone, 

His love is daily new : 



130 



WOBD FOB THE DAT. 



And though thou deem that things go ill, 
Yet He in all He doeth, still 
Is holy, just and true. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

Lord, Thou hast countless worlds to remem- 
ber, yet Thou never forgettest me. 

0 Lord, I, the work of Thy hands, forget Thee 
continually. Pardon me, good Lord, and grant 
me true repentance. 

5Utgnsi S. 

Reason of Our Being. 

The Lord hath made all things for himself. — 
Prov. 16 : 4. 

Made for Thyself, O God ! 
Made for Thy love, Thy service, Thy delight. 
Made to show forth Thy wisdom, grace and 

might ; 

Made for Thy praise, whom veiled archangels 
laud ; 

Oh strange and glorious thought, that we may be 
A joy to Thee. 

F. R. Havergal. 

Assist us to consecrate our whole being and 
existence to Thee, our understandings to the 
knowledge of Thy character, our hearts to the 
veneration and love of Thy perfections, our 
wills to the choice of Thy commands, our active 
energies to the accomplishment of Thy pur- 
poses, our lives to Thy glory, and every power 
to the imitation of Thy goodness. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



137 



gitigtist 6. 

Christ All in All. 

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of 
our faith.— Heb. 12 : 2. 

To Thee, O Jesus, I direct my eyes ; 
To Thee my hands, to Thee my humble knees ; 
To Thee my heart shall offer sacrifice ; 
To Thee my thoughts. Who my thoughts only 
see, 

To Thee myself — myself and all I give ; 
To Thee I die, to Thee I only live. 

Raleigh. 

1 offer unto Thee, my God, my thoughts, that 
they may be towards Thee ; my words, that they 
may be of Thee ; my deeds, that they may be ac- 
cording to Thee ; my sufferings, that they may 
be for Thee. 

gutgttst 7. 
God's Immutability. 

I am the Lord, I change not. — Mal. 3 : 6. 

It fortifies my soul to know 
That, though I perish, Truth is so, 
That, howsoe'er I stray and range, 
Whate'er I do, Thou dost not change. 

I steadier step when I recall 
That, if I slip, Thou dost not fall. 



138 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



O God, who never changest, but abidest ever 
a firm Refuge to all who seek Thee, help me, 
Thy weak and wavering servant, that I may be- 
come fixed and established in faith, and in right- 
eousness. 



gutcmst 8. 

The Hardest Duty. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. — 
Ps. 37 : 7. 

We can bear the heat of conflict, 

Though the sudden, crushing blow, 
Beating back our gathered forces, 

For a moment lay us low. 
We may rise again beneath it, 

None the weaker for our fall ; 
But the waiting time, my brothers, 

Is the hardest time of all. 



Grant us patience, good Lord. 



§Ugnst 9. 
Vigor. 

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of h'is 
might. — Eph. 6:10. 

Oh ! let all the soul within you 
For the truth's sake go abroad. 

Strike ! let every nerve and sinew 
Tell on ages ; tell for God. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



139 



Grant Thy servants, O God, to be set on fire 
with Thy spirit, strengthened by Thy power, 
illuminated by Thy splendor, filled with Thy 
grace, and to go forward by Thine aid. Amen. 

gorgust lO. 
Liberty. 

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free. — John 8 : 32. 

What if in prison I must dwell ? 

May I not there converse with Thee ? 
Save me from sin, Thy wrath, and hell, 

Call me Thy child and I am free. 

Baxter. 

O Lord, who hast freed us by Thy truth, 
Grant that we live no more as the slaves of sin. 

gittgust 11. 
Poverty. 

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that, though he was rich, yet for your sokes he be- 
came poor, that ye through his poverty 7night be 
rich. — 2 Cor. 8 : 9. 

Jesus ! the spacious world was Thine, 
Yet, when Thou wouldst Thy head recline, 

It scarce found room for Thee ; 
And oh ! shall simple man be bent 
On self-sought greatness, not content 

With Christ-like poverty? 



WORD FOR THE DAY, 



O God, our heavenly Father . . . keep me, I 
beseech Thee, under the protection of Thy good 
Providence, and teach me, in whatsoever state I 
am, therewith to be content. Give me grace to 
forsake all covetous desires — through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

gaignsl 12. 

Nearness of God. 

Forsake me not, 0 Lord : 0 my God, be not far 
from me.—Fs. 38 : 21. 

Oh say not thou art left of God, 
Because His tokens in the sky 
Thou canst not read ; this earth He trod 
To teach thee He was ever nigh. 

Dr. Newman. 
Good Lord, give me a firm, unshaken trust in 
Thee. Set my feet on the Rock, that I slip not 
backward. . . Henceforth, even for ever, I 
would trust Thee with my hopes and my fears, 
my present and my future, my time and my 
eternity ; for myself and all whom Thou hast 
given me to love ; in desolation as in consola- 
tion ; when I fear that I am far from Thee, as 
when I fear that Thou art far from me. 

gutqust 13. 
Sorrow Fruitful to Good. 

We glory in tribulations also; knowing that 
tribulation worketh patience; and patience, ex- 
perience ; and experience, hope. — Bom. 5:3,4. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



141 



Alike, all pleases well, 

Since living faith hath made it understood, 
Within the shadowy folds of sorrow dwell 

The seeds of life and everlasting good. 

Thos, C. Upham. 

Grant, O Lord, that in my patience I may pos- 
sess my soul : to that end may I often look 
upon the face of Christ thy Son, that as He hath 
suffered such terrible things in the flesh, I may 
endeavor to be armed with the same mind. 

SUqust 14. 

Kindness 

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the 
feeble knees. — Isa. 35 : 3. 

Let us reach into our bosoms 

For the key to other lives, 
And with love towards erring nature, 

Cherish good that still survives ; 
So, when our disrobed spirits 

Soar to realms of light above, 
We may say : " Dear Father, love us 

E'en as we have shown our love," 

Grant me this grace, good Lord. To be kind 
and do good to all men, and to overcome evil 
with good. 



142 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



3utgtm 15. 
Trustfulness. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. — Prow 3 : 5. 

With peaceful mind thy race of duty run. 
God nothing does or suffers to be done, 
But what Thou wouldst thyself, if Thou couldst 
see 

Through all events of things as well as He. 

Grant us.. O Lord, we pray Thee, to trust in 
Thee with all our heart: seeing that as Thou 
dost always resist the proud who confide in their 
own strength, so Thou dost not forsake those 
who make their boast of Thy mercy ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

I^ngosf 16. 

The Lowest May Rise. 

We are all as an unclean thing, and alt our 
righteousnesses are as filthy rags. — Isa. 64 : 6. 

But it exceeds man's thought, to think how 
high 

God hath raised man. since God a man be- 
came ; 

The angels do admire this mystery, 

And are astonished when they view the same. 

Sir John Davies. 

Grant. O Most High, that I may this day and 
even' day strive to approach the ideal which 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



143 



Thou hast set before me. And as I am weak, 
even when I should be strong, 0 do Thou be 
with me to strengthen and uphold me. 

guigust 17. 
Individuality of Work. 

To one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom ; 
to another the word of knowledge . . . to another 
faith . . . to another the gifts of healing . . . 
bat all these worketh that one and the self -same 
Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he 
will. — 1 Cor. 12 : 8. 9, 11. 

In God's great field of labor 
All work is not the same ; 

He hath a service for each one 
Who loves His holy name. 

O Lord of all knowledge, all work and all 
gifts, save me from the sin of despising the 
work which Thou hast given me, or from envy- 
ing the work of another, and enable me to be 
faithful and earnest in Thy service. 

2Ucmst 18. 

Death a Blessing. 

Blessed, are the dead which die in the Lord f rom 
henceforth. — Rev. 14 : 13. 

I would not live alway away from that world 

Where the bark of life lies at the last ; 
Where the voyager's sails are for evermore 
furled, 

Where the winds and the waves are past. 



144 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



I would not live alway away from that shore 
Where the stream of life flows when the storms 
are all o'er. 

Dr. Muhlenberg. 

Grant that we may so live that when we are 
passing from this life the spirit within shall be 
mighty, and shall live again and forever in the 
light of God, in the love of Christ, in the sym- 
pathy of holiness. In the power of all that is 
true and noble in Thee may our souls find their 
life. 

SUigust 19. 
The Honest Man. 
An honest and good heart. — Luke 8 : 15. 

Who is the honest man ? 

He that doth still and strongly good pursue, 
To God. his neighbor, and himself most true, 

Whom neither force nor fawning can 

Impair, or wrench from giving all their due. 

Herbert. 

O God, who hast taught us that to obtain Thy 
love we must do unto others as we would they 
should do unto us ; give me grace to cleanse 
my heart and hands from all fraud and wrong, 
that I may hurt nobody by word or deed, but be 
true and just in all my dealings ; that so, keep- 
ing innocency, and taking heed unto the thing 
that is right, I may have peace. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



145 



SUurasi 20. 

The Patience of Christ. 

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy 
finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither fit;/ 
hand, and thrust it into my side : and be not faith- 
less, but believing. — John 20 : 27. 

Is there on earth a spirit frail 

Who fears to take their word, 
Scarce daring, through the twilight pale 

To think he sees the Lord ? 
With eyes too tremblingly awake 
To bear with dimness for His sake ? 

:£ 4 s ♦ 'fc • 4> 

For all thy rankling doubts so sore, 

Love thou thy Saviour still, 
Him for thy Lord and God adore, 

And ever do His will. 
Though vexing thoughts may seem to last, 
Let not thy soul be quite o'ercast ; 
Soon will He show thee all his wounds, and say 
" Long have I known thy name — know thou 
my face alway." 

Keble. 

O Lord, who didst not cast the doubter away 
from Thee with scorn, but didst convince him of 
Thy life — forgive my weakness and my doubt- 
ing heart, and persuade me even against myself 
of Thine existence and Thy love. 



146 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



jUtattsi 21. 

The Joy of Service. 

Serve the Lord uith gladness: come before His 
presence with singing. — Ps. 100 : 2. 

Happily, happily. 

Pass I along, 
Eager to work for Thee, 

Earnest and strong. 
Life is for service true, 
Life is for battle, too ; 

Life is for song. 

Hopefully, hopefully, 

Onward I go. 
Cheerfully, cheerfully, 

Meet I the foe. 
Crowns are awaiting us, 
Glory prepared for us, 

Joys overflow. 

BONAR. 

Grant, Lord, that I may ever keep my frowns 
for sin. My sunshine and my smiles for Thee. 

jlnanst 22. 

Continuance in Well-doing. 

Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do 
the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy 
ministry. — 2 Tdi. 4:5. 

Perform the work He gives to thee : 
The " well done welcome will be yours. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



147 



With the All-Father ; only he 
Is counted worthy who endures. 

O Lord, our support and our refuge, deliver 
us from temptation, give us the defence of Thy 
salvation, hold us up with Thy right hand, teach 
us by Thy discipline, and make our way and our 
life undefiled. 

3Uigust 23. 

The Answer Sure. 

Before they call, I will answer : and while they 
are yet speaking, I will hear. — Isa. 65 : 24. 

Tell him that his very longing is itself an an- 
swering cry, 

That his prayer, " Come gracious Allah ! " is my 

answer, " Here am I ! " 
Eve^ inmost aspiration is God's angel unde- 
' filed, 

And in every " O my Father I 1 ' slumbers deep a 
" Here, my child." 

DSCHELADEDDIX. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always 
'more ready to hear than we to pray, and art 
wont to give more than we desire or deserve ; 
pour down upon us the abundance of Thy 
mercy ; forgiving us those things whereof our 
conscience is afraid, and giving us those good 
things which we are not worthy to ask, but 
through the merits and mediation of Jesus 
Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 



148 



WOBD FOR THE DAY. 



§Uqusf 24. 
Persistence. 
He that overcometh shall inherit all tilings. — 
Eev. 21 : 7. 

Clinch thy difficulties fast 
With a determined hand, 
Until, in thy victorious grasp, 

They crumble into sand. 
He who overcomes at last 
Will not mourn about the past. 

Lady Teignmouth. 

O how entirely necessary is Thy grace, Lord, 
to enable me to begin any good thing, to carry 
it on, to bring it to perfection ! For without it 
I can do nothing: but I can do all things 
through Thy grace strengthening me. 

SUqust 26. 
Our Treasury. 

T\ltatsoever a man soiveth. that shall he also * 
reap . . . in due season we shaU reap, if we faint 
not. — Gal. 6 : T, 9. 

But each merciful oblation, 

(Seed of pity, wisely sown.) 
"What we gare in self-negation, 
We may safely call our own. 
Thus of treasure freely given, 

For the future we may hoard, 
For the angels keep in Heaven 
What is lent unto the Lord. 



WORT) FOR THE DAY. 



149 



Help us, O Lord, ever to remember, that of 
all the good gifts of life to us Thou art the 
giver ; and may we minister unto others of our 
abundance or of our little, in the spirit of Him 
who hath said it is more blessed to give than to 
receive. Amen. 

^ttgttst 26. 
The Sleep. 
So he giveth his beloved sleep. — Ps. 127 : 2. 

And friends, dear friends — when it shall be 
That this low breath is gone from me, 

And round my bier ye come to weep, 
Let one, most loving of you all, 
Say, " Not a tear must o'er her fall — 

He giveth His beloved sleep." 

Mrs. Browning. 

Father, comfort us in our troubles. 
May we not sorrow as those who have no hope, 
But fervently believe that them who sleep in 
Jesus will God bring with Him. 

SUignst 27. 

God's Omniscience. 

Wlien my spirit was overwhelmed within me. 
then thou knewest my path. — Ps. 142 : 3. 

My God, whose gracious pity I may claim, 
Calling Thee Father — sweet endearing name ! 
The sufferings of this weak and weary frame, 
All, all are known to Thee. 

Adelaide Newton. 



150 



WORD FOR THE DA T. 



O Thou knowest the path that I take. Thou 
who seest how full it is of snares and pitfalls, 
and how hard it is for my feet to walk therein 
without stumbling — be near me to guide and 
to guard me. Be my strength. O Father. 

August 2S. 

God our Owner. 

For whether we lire, we lire unto the Lord ; and 
whether we die. we die unto the Lord : whether we 
lire therefor-, or die. we are the Lord's. — Rom. 
14 : 8. 

Teach me. my Lord and King. 

In all things Thee to see. 
And what I do in anything, 

To do it as for Thee. 

Herbert. 

O direct my life towards Thy commandments, 
hallow my soul, 
purify my body, 
correct my thoughts, 
cleanse my desires, 
soul and body, mind and spirit, 
heart and reins. 

^ItgHSf 29. 

God's Knowledge of Us. 

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, to. 
0 Lord, thou knowest it altogether. — Ps. 139 : 4. 

Thou knowest ail I am. 
My evil and mv shame ; 



WORD FOB THE BAY. 



151 



And yet Thou hat'st me not ; 
Nor hast even once forgot 
Thy handiwork divine, 
This helpless soul of mine, 
My ever loving Lord. 

O Lord, I offer up to Thee all my sins and 
faults . . . that Thou mayst burn and consume 
them with the fire of Thy Love, and expunge all 
the spots of my sins, and cleanse my conscience 
from every fault, and restore to me Thy grace 
which I have lost by my transgressions, and 
freely forgive me all, and grant me Thy peace. 

gatgusf 30. 
Soul-hunger. 

Give us this day our daily bread. — Matt. 6 : 11. 

We have no strength to walk unless Thou lead 
us ; 

Sin hides each side, the straight and narrow 
way ; 

Our hungry souls must faint, except Thou feed 
us, 

Help us, we plead, to live aright to-day. 

Mrs. M. E. C. Bates. 

O cleanse that which is sordid ; bedew that 
which is dried up ; heal that which is wounded ; 
bend that which is stubborn ; cherish in Thy 
bosom that which is cold ; guide that which is 
wandering ; O Lord hear our prayer, and let our 
cry come unto Thee. 



152 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



giugust 31. 

True Wisdom. 

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. — 2 Pet. 3 : 18. 

To know the Christ of God, 

The everlasting Son ; 
To know what He on earth 

For guilty man has done : 
This is the first and last 

Of all that's true and wise; 
The circle that contains all light 

Beneath, above the skies. 

Bonar. 

Defend in me, I beseech Thee, the gifts of 
Thy loving-kindness, and daily increase what 
Thou hast deigned to grant ; that Thou being 
my ruler, the passions of the flesh may more 
and more die in me, and the desire of the heav- 
enly life increase and grow. 

%z$izmhzx 1. 

The Harvest Sure. 

Let us not be weary in well doing ; for in due 
season we shall reap, if we faint not. — Gal. 6:9. 

Sow love and taste its fruitage pure ; 

Sow peace and reap its harvest bright ; 
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor, 

And find a harvest home of light. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



153 



Lord, pardon all my misspent time, and make 
me more diligent and careful to redeem it for 
the time to come, that when I come to the end 
of my days, I may look back with comfort on 
the days that are past. 

September 2. 
Trust. 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. — 
Job 13 : 15. 

For us — whatever's undergone, 
Thou knowest, wiliest what is done. 
Grief may be joy misunderstood ; 
Only the Good discerns the good ; 
I trust Thee while my days go on. 

I praise Thee while my days go on ; 
I love Thee while my days go on ; 
Through dark and dearth, through fire and 
frost, 

With emptied arms and treasure lost, 
I thank Thee while my days go on. 

E. B. Browning. 

May I thank Thee, O God, my God, not with 
my lips only, but in my life, may all within me 
praise Thee . . . for humiliations, afflictions, 
crosses, sicknesses, and whatsoever else Thy 
fatherly love has sent to wean me from this 
world or to destroy my self-love, 



154 



WORD FOB THE DAY. 



September 3. 
The Lord's Presence. 
And, lo, I am with you alway. — Matt. 28 : 20. 

Yet the world is Thy field, Thy garden ; 

On earth art Thou still at home, 
When Thou bendest hither Thy hallowing eye, 
My narrow workroom seems vast and high, 

Its dingy ceiling and rainbow dome — 
Stand ever thus at my wide swung door, 
And toil will be toil no more. 

Lucy Larcom. 

Abide with me, O Lord, for without Thee is 
no joy. 

And make me worthy of Thy presence. 

September 4. 

Sincerity in Service. 

Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the 
things which I say f — Luke 6 : 46. 

Be wise, and use thy wisdom well ; 

Who wisdom speaks must live it, too ; 
He is the wisest who can tell 

How first he lived, then spoke the true. 

Bonar. 

Let it not be brought in judgment against me 
that I have heard Thy word but have not 
obeyed it, have known, but have not loved it, 
have believed, but have not kept it. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



155 



September B. 
Prayer for Help. 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil. — Matt. 6 : 13. 

Defend my soul, O God ! 
For snares beset my road, 
Thou art my help alone. 
Deliver me from sin and fear, 
Preserve me in my peril here, 
O good and gracious One ! 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that 
pressing onwards in Thy way with devout 
minds, we may escape the snares of the sins 
that beset us ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

September 6. 
Acceptable Service. 
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. — 
Matt. 25 : 40. 

Seal not thy eyes up from the poor ; but give 
Proportion to their merits, and thy purse ; 
Thou may'st in rags a mighty prince relieve, 
Who, when thy sins call for't, can fence a curse. 
Thou shalt not lose one mite, though waters 
stray, 

The bread we cast returns in fraughts one day. 

Vaughan. 

O grant that Thy spirit may touch us so that 
we may gladly give of our bread to them that 



156 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



hunger, and our shelter to the Son of Man who 
has not where to lay his head. 

September 7. 
The Life. 

/ am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no 
man cometh unto the Father, but by me. — John 
14 : 6. 

It is Thy life alone, alone Thy life 

That saveth me ; 
And for that life of Thine, that saving life, 

I come to Thee. 

Bonar. 

Penetrate, pierce, enlighten, kindle, transform 
all . . . 

Kindle all which is cold, melt all which is hard ; 
Bind up all which is weak ; steep in Thy love all 

which is dry ; 
That Thou living in me and I in Thee, my soul 

may melt away in Thy love ; 
And I changed into Thee, become one spirit 

with Thee. 

September 8. 

The Death which is Life. 

Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto 
sin, but alive unto God. — Rom. 6 : 11. 

Lord Jesus, let me daily die, 
And at the last Thy presence give, 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



157 



Then Death his utmost power may try, 

He can but make me truly live. 
Then welcome my last hour shall be, 
When, where and how it pleases Thee. 

S. Frank. 

Assist me, Lord, to slay anger, pride, self-love, 
covetousness, untruth, and every evil thing 
which forms a part of me. Oh nourish and 
cause to grow whatever in me is good ; and plant 
new seeds of righteousness within me. 

September 9. 

Help of the Spirit. 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : 
for we know not what ice should pray for as we 
ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for 
us. — Rom. 8 : 26. 

The prayers I make will then be sweet indeed, 
If Thou the spirit give by which I pray ; 
My unassisted heart is barren clay, 
That of its native self can nothing feed, 
Of good and pious works Thou art the seed, 
That quickens only where Thou say'st it may. 

Michael Angelo. 

And grant us, O Lord, the Lover of Men, with 
freedom, without condemnation, with a pure 
heart and a contrite soul, without confusion of 
face and with sanctified lips, boldly to call upon 
Thee, our holy God and Father who art in 
Heaven. 



158 



WORD FOR THE BAY. 



September IO. 

Confidence. 

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, and my 
fortress: my God ; in Mm will 1 trust. — Ps. 91 : 2. 

I will trust in the Lord, through tempests of 
grief, 

Though my heart and my soul may in vain seek 
relief ; 

Though by doubts and temptations beset on 
each side, 

I will trust in the Lord, whatever betide. 

I will trust in the Lord, though my courage may 
fail ; 

Though friends may forget me, and foes may 
assail ; 

Though hating and scorning, the world may de- 
ride, 

I will trust in the Lord, whatever betide. 

M. E. R. 

May we take cloud or sunshine, storm or 
calm, sorrow or gladness ; be able to bear afflic- 
tion or prosperity — to be lifted up or to be cast 
down, to feel that we are as ships that cross the 
tempestuous deep, forever swaying and rocking, 
forever elevated and lowered by the conflicting 
waves, but safe through all storms. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



159 



September 11. 
Growth. 

Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgefh it, 
that it may bring forth more fruit. — John 15 : 2. 

Deepen all Thy work, O Master, 
Strengthen every downward root, 

Only do Thou ripen faster, 

More and more, Thy pleasant fruit. 

Purge me, prune me, self-abase, 

Only let me grow in grace. 

O Lord, may we be glad even at the ministry 
of trouble ; may we lift up a joyful heart even 
when we suffer; and may we learn at last to 
come with that blessedness of resignation 
whereby we can say, " We rejoice in infirmities, 
and count it all joy when we fall into divers 
temptations." 

September 12. 
Love. 

God is lore. — 1 John 4:16. 

They only miss 

The winning of that final bliss 
"Who will not count it true that love, 
Blessing, not cursing, rules above, 
And that in it we live and move. 

Trench. 

O God, who art Love, for the sake of the Son of 
Thy love, 

Give me grace never more to sin against love. 



160 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



September 13. 
Heaven our Home. 

For here ham we no continuing city, but we seek 
one to come. — Heb. 13 : 14. 

Dear Son of God ! by whom this world was 
made, 

Yet, homeless, had not where to lay Thy head, 
(Not e'en by kindred was Thy body laid 

In Joseph's tomb, thou Lord of quick and 
dead,) 

By Thy example led, 
Of me ma}' it be said, 
When I shall rest, and peace begin, 

44 He lived as one who was a pilgrim here, 
And found His home while dwelling in an inn." 

A. D. F. Randolph. 

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, 
but to love things heavenly; and even now, 
while we are placed among things that are pass- 
ing away, to cleave to those that shall abide ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

September 14. 
Tests. 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into 
divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying 
of your faith worketh patience. — James 1 : 2, 3. 

Endure temptation — bravely bear ; 
This chastening shows a Father's care. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



161 



Guard well thy heart — 'twill end the strife, 
The tried receive the crown of life. 

J. R. 

O Lord, deliver us from evil, let us not fall 
beneath the trials sent to test us, but grant that 
overcoming sin, and putting to flight the 
powers of darkness, we may arise strengthened 
by the battle, made more vigorous to endure, 
more courageous to withstand. 

September 15. 

Blinded Vision. 

Some have entertained angels unawares. — Heb. 
13 : 2. 

Alas ! we think not what we daily see 
About our hearths — angels that are to be 
Or may be, if they will, and we prepare 
Their souls and ours to meet in happy air, 
A child, a friend, a wife whose soft heart sings 
In unison with ours, breeding its future wings. 

Leigh Hunt. 

Open our eyes, O Lord ; may we be no longer 
blind, and hard of heart, but quick to discern, 
and swift to render reverence wherever dwells 
Thy spirit. 



162 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



September 16. 

Perseverance. 

And let as not be weary in icell doing. — Gal. 
6:9. 

My soul, be still and strong; 

Here on thy Lord's estate 
No place is useless, no experience vain. 

Work on ; Watch on ; and Wait ! 

O Lord, increase my strength, and give me 
grace to use it daily, for the promotion of Thy 
glory, and for the healthy development of my 
own soul, that, in Thy good time, I may be pre- 
pared for another and a better world. 

September 17. 

Neighborliness. 

All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this ; 
Thou shalt lore thy neighbor as thyself — Gal. 
5 : 14. 

We go our ways in life too much alone • 

We hold ourselves too far from all our kind ; 

Too often we are deaf to sigh or moan, 
Too often to the weak and helpless, blind ; 

Too often when distress and want abide, 

We turn and pass upon the other side. 

O pour into my heart that most excellent gift 
of charity, that very bond of peace and of all 
virtue, without which, whosoever liveth is 
counted dead before Thee. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 163 



September 18. 
Our Pattern. 

I have given you an example. — John 13 : 15. 

Holy Jesus, Fount of light ! 
As crystal clear, forever bright, 

Thou Stream o'er-flowing, pure and free ; 
The brightness of the cherubim, 
The glow of burning seraphim, , 

Are darkness when compared with Thee. 
Be Thou my pattern bright, 
My study and delight, 
My all in all. 
Oh, teach Thou me, that I may be 
All pure and holy, like to Thee. 

Crasselius. 

Let me keep in mind, O Jesus, thy precept 
and example, by loving mine enemies, by pa- 
tiently suffering wrong, by doing good to those 
that persecute me, by praying for those that 
falsely speak evil of me. 

September 19. 

Calmness of Mind. 

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. — Matt. 
6 : 34, 

Touched with a sympathy for e'en such sorrow, 
How sweet the sentence from His lips that 
fell: 



164 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Enough of ill, without our need to borrow, 
Rests with each day. Then wisely leave to- 
morrow 

Ever with Him who doeth all things well. 
Oh, to His heart thine every burden bear; 
Fear not the future trusted to His care. 

Grant me, 0 Lord, a spirit serene and trust- 
ful. Make me to be concerned with the duties 
of each day, and glad to leave the burdens of to- 
morrow to Thy loving care. 

For Christ's sake. Amen. 

September 20. 

A Summons. 

Awake to righteousness, and sin not. — 1 Cor. 
15 : 34. 

Wake, sluggish soul of mine ! 

So slow to break 
The fond old dreams of long, long summer 
bloom, 

The dear deception of an earthly home ; 
Awake, awake ! 

O Heavenly Father, help me to cast off the 
works of darkness, and put on the armor of 
light. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



165 



September 21. 
Action. 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like 
men, be strong. — 1 Cor. 16 : 13. 

Still hope ! still act ! Be sure that life, 
The source and strength of every good, 

Wastes down in feeling's empty strife, 
And dies in dreaming's sickly mood. 

To toil, in tasks however mean, 

For all we know of right and true — ■ 

In this alone our worth is seen, 
'Tis this we were ordained to do. 

Sterling. 

Give me a waking spirit and a diligent soul, 
that I may seek to know Thy will, and when I 
know it, may perform it faithfully, to the honor 
and glory of Thy ever blessed name. Amen. 

September 22. 

Reliance on God. 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. — 
Job 13 : 15. 

This, then, must be the medicine for my woes 

To yield to what my Saviour shall dispose ; 

To glory in my baseness ; to rejoice 

In mine afflictions ; to obey His voice, 

As well when threatenings my defects reprove 

As when I cherished am with words of love. 

Sir John Beaumont. 



166 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Yea, I thank Thee, O God, for all things ; for 
afflictions as well as for benefits, for afflictions 
become benefits when Thou bestowest them. 

September 23. 

Our Source of Life. 

He that abideth in me, and Tin him. the same 
bringeth forth much fruit : for without me ye can 
do nothing. — John 15 : 5. 

Thou fain wouldst heart and soul to Thee in- 
cline, 

Take me from myself, and make me Thine ; 
Thou art the Vine and I the branch, oh grant 
I may grow in Thee a living plant: 

Kyrie Eleison ! 
For naught but sins I find in me, 
Yet are the3^ done away in Thee : 
Mine are anguish, fear, unrest, 
But in Thee, Lord, I am blest, 

Kyrie Eleison ! 

J OH ANN HEERMANN. 

O Christ, our Master, let our souls always 
desire Thee, and seek Thee, and find Thee ! Be 
Thou in all our thoughts, our words, our ac- 
tions, that being sanctified by Thee here, we 
may be glorified with Thee hereafter. Amen. 



WORD FOR THE DAY, 



167 



September 24. 
Death. 

He shall enter into peace. — ISA. 57 : 2. 

How pleasant are thy paths, O Death ! 

Thither when sorrows cease, 
To a new life, to an old past, 
Softly and silently we haste, 

Into a land of peace. 

May all our desires take on the pattern of the 
future life. And chastened, moderated, made 
more earnest, industrious and faithful, may we 
so build, that when we leave this world some- 
thing shall remain here for others as a founda- 
tion on which to build. 

Hepf ember 25. 
Prayer for Faith. 

Lord, I believe : help thou mine unbelief. — 
Mark 9 : 24. 

Enlighten with faith's light my heart, 

Inflame it with love's fire ; 
Then shall I sing and bear a part 

With that celestial choir. 
I shall, I fear, be dark and cold 

With all my fire and light, 
Yet when Thou dost accept their gold 

Lord, treasure up my mite. 

John Mason. 
Let me be strong in faith, giving glory to 
Thee, and having a full persuasion that Thou 



168 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



wilt perform all that Thou hast promised. 0 
help me to count all things but loss for the ex- 
cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my 
Lord. 

September 26. 

The Worst Loss. 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the 
whole world, and, lose his own soul f — Matt. 16 : 26. 

A sadder sight than eye can know, 
Than proud bark lost, or seaman's woe, 
Than prey-bird's shriek or tempest cloud, 
Or battle fire, or ocean shroud — 
The shipwreck of the soul. 

From all blindness of heart ; from pride, vain- 
glory and hypocrisy, from envy, hatred and 
malice, and all uncharitableness ; from all inor- 
dinate and sinful affections ; and from all the 
deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

September 27. 

The Final Result. 

We know that all things work together for good 
to them that love God. — Bom. 8 : 28. 

No ill can thee betide ; 

Life's shadiest mood 
Brightens to sunshine in love's genial ray; 
And sorrow's slowest clouds dissolve in day ; 

All ill is good. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



169 



Grant, O my God, that neither the joy nor the 
sorrow of this period shall have visited my heart 
in vain. Make me wise and strong to the per- 
formance of immediate duties, and ripen me by 
what means Thou seest best for the performance 
of those that lie beyond. 

September 28. 

Our Just God. 

Touching the Almighty . . . he is excellent in 
power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice. — 
Job 37 : 23. 

There's only One who knows the truth 
Amidst the world's deceit and lies ; 

There's only One who views each case 
With just, unselfish, candid eyes. 

To Thee, O God, do we bring ourselves, our 
sins, our many blunders, and our weakness; 
our trials, our perplexities and cares, knowing 
that in Thee we shall find a judge incorruptible, 
yet plenteous in mercy and loving kindness. 

September 29. 
Valor. 

Be strong and of a good coinage ; be not afraid, 
neither be thou dismayed. — Josh. 1 : 9. 

M< )VE on, and murmur not ; a warrior thou ; 

Is this a day for idle tears and sighs? 
Buckle thine armor, grasp thy sword and bow, 

Fight the good fight of faith and win the prize. 



170 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



May we be more brave of heart ; may we be 
more brave in our affections. Take away from 
us all efriminacy of taste and all effiminacy of 
love, and all things that shall make us shrink 
from the battles of life or from any of its experi- 
ences. Give us that robustness, that strength, 
that patience and that endurance by which we 
shall be able to carry our daily experience with 
great cheerfulness and gladness. 

September 30. 
Prayer for Grace. 
Ask, and it shall be given yon. — Matt. 7 : 7. 

What shall I ask? Tis for Thy grace, my Lord, 
For daily grace as well as daily bread. 

Feed me, O Christ, according to Thy word, 
Till this soul hunger is forever fled. 

Mrs. A. W. Cooke. 
O Lord, I pray Thee that Thy grace may 

always prevent and follow me, and make me 

continually to be given to all good works ; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

@cfofcr 1. 

Improvement of Time. 

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, 
redeeming the time. — Col. 4 : 5. 

Waste not thy being ; back to Him 
Who freely gave it, freely give, 

Else is that being but a dream, 
'Tis but to be, and not to live. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



in 



Come Thou, and dwell in my heart this day. 
Drive out every intruder, and take full posses- 
sion Thyself. Make this the best and happiest 
day that I have ever spent. 

©tiokr 2. 

The Testimony of Nature. 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the 
firmament showeth his handiwork. — Ps. 19 : 1. 

When seasons change, then lay before thine 
eye 

His wondrous method; mark the various 
scenes 

In heav'n ; hail, thunder, rainbow, snow and 
ice, 

Calms, tempests, light and darkness by His 
means, 

Thou canst not miss His praise ; each tree, herb, 
flower, 

Are shadows of His wisdom and His pow'r. 

Vaughan. 

Give me eyes that see, ears that hear, and a 
heart that pondereth all Thy ways — O Thou 
most High. 

October 8. 

Afflictions. 

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the 
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some 
strange thing happened unto you. — 1 Pet. 4 : 12. 



172 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Complain not of thy life ! — for what art thou 
More than thy fellows that thou shouidst not 
weep ? 

Brave thoughts still lodge beneath a furrowed 
brow, 

And the way-wearied have the sweetest sleep. 

F. A. Kemble. 

We beseech of Thee, that we may not feel that 
Thou art harsh in Thine administration toward 
us when Thou sendest burdens. May we be- 
lieve that they are sent for wise purposes. 
When Thou sendest afflictions and bereave- 
ments, may we understand the way of God 
toward us . . . May we feel, that like our Cap- 
tain, we are to be made perfect through suffer- 
ing. 

October 4. 
Righteousness. 

Now the God of peace . . . make you perfect in 
every good work to do his will, working in yon 
that which is well pleasing in his sight, through 
Jesus Christ. — Heb. 13 : 20. 81. 

O holy Fyre, and comforth most swete, 

Fyll our hertes with fayth and boldnesse, 
To abyde by Thee in cold and hete, 

Content to suffre for ryghteousnesse ; 
O Lorde, geve strength to our weaknesse, 

And send us helpe every houre, 
That we may overcome all wyckedries.se 

And brynge this olde Adam under Thy power. 

Luther. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



1T3 



Help us, O Lord, to grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of Thee. 

©ctober 5, 

God's Holiness. 

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and 
canst not look on iniquity. — Hab. 1 : 13. 

Thou art holy, enterest in 

Where pure hearts Thy coming wait, 
Bat Thou rleest shame and sin, 

Craft and falsehood Thou dost hate ; 
Wash me then, O Well of grace, 
Every stain and spot efface, 
Let me flee what Thou dost flee, 
Grant me what Thou lov'st to see. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

Make us, O Lord, to flourish like pure lilies 
in the courts of Thine house, and to show forth 
to the faithful the fragrance of good works and 
the example of a godly life. 

©ctober 6. 
Serenity. 

In quietness and in confidence shall be your 
strength — Isa. 30 : 15. 

The will to neither strive nor cry, 
The power to feel with others give ; 

Calm, calm me more, nor let me die 
Before I have begun to live. 



174 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



If I walk through the water, let me walk with 
Thee ; 

And let Thy Presence hush me, still me, make a 

great calm within me, 
That I may be wholly hushed in myself, wholly 

reflect Thee. 

©ctobcr 7. 

The Lord's Sympathy. 

He knoweth the way that I take. — Job 23 : 10. 

When in despair, no earthly comfort heeding, 
My spirit prostrate lies, all crushed and bleed- 
ing 

From cruel blows, 
Soothed is each shattered, throbbing nerve of 
feeling, 

Touched by this thought, as by a hand of heal- 
ing— 

"God knows, God knows." 

F. J. Pomeroy. 

Thou, O merciful Father, knowest our suffer- 
ings, our sorrows, our tears : look upon us and 
succor us, for of ourselves we could not bear 
Thy chastisement. Make us to be conformed 
unto Thy will, for the sake of Jesus, our com- 
passionate Saviour. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



175 



October 8. 
Prayer. 

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. — 
Luke 18 : 1. 

Be not afraid to pray — to pray is right, 

Pray, if thou canst, with hope ; but ever pray, 
Though hope be weak, or sick with long 
delay ; 

Pray in the darkness, if there be no light. 

. . . Pray to be perfect, though material leaven 

Forbid the spirit so on earth to be ; 
But if for any wish thou dar'st not pray, 
Then pray to God to cast that wish away. 

Coleridge. 

O Lord, our God, who alone foreseest and 
bestowest things needful for our salvation, do 
Thou both bestow, we pray Thee, on our souls 
the hearty desire of imploring Thy mercy, and 
graciously vouchsafe us what will be for our 
good ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

©ctober 9. 

The Conflict. 

Fight the good fight of faith. — 1 Tim. 6 : 12. 

What is life, father ? 

A battle, my child, 
Where the strongest lance may fall, 

Where the weariest eyes may be beguiled, 
And the stoutest heart may quail. 



176 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



Where foes are gathered on every hand. 

And rest not day or night, 
And the feeble little one must stand 

In the thickest of the fight. 

O God of Might, who dost ever strengthen 
the hands of those who fight in a good cause, 
help us. we pray Thee, in the war against un- 
righteousness. Grant that we falter not, nor 
yield ; grant to us courage, and persistence, and 
that we may defeat the powers of evil. For Thy 
great Name's sake. Amen, 

©ciober 10. 
Unsatisfying Treasures. 

A mart's life consisteth not in the abundance of 
the tilings which he possesseth. — Luke 12 : 15. 

Gold is not life or love, 

It is not rest or joy ; 

It withers up the heart, 

It shrivels up the soul ; 

It filleth coffers, hearts it cannot fill. 

BONAR. 

Deliver me from all dependence upon creat- 
ure consolations, for no created thing can sat- 
isfy my wants and give me rest. Join me to 
Thyself by an inseparable bond of love, for 
Thou alone art sufficient for him who truly loves 
Thee, and without Thee all things are vain. 



WOItD FOB THE DAY. 



177 



(October 11. 
Our Lost Ones. 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, breth- 
ren, concerning them which are asleep, thai ye 
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 
even so them also which sleep in Jesus will G-od 
bring with him. — 1 Thess. -4 ; 13, 14. 
Brief is the space that from our loved divides 
us, 

Thin is the mist that from their haven hides us ; 
Soft hands on high are beckoning signals hold- 
ing, 

White arms wait patient for our heart's enfold- 
ing. 

Lord, I believe that this is truth — yet is my 
faith oftentimes but weak. Help Thou mine 
unbelief, O Master. Grant me the courage to 
work on in patience, knowing that those whom 
I so loved, and whom Thou hast taken to Thy- 
self, are safe in Thy keeping, and are not lost to 
me. 

For thine Eternity's sake. Amen. 

(October 12. 
The Heart. 

Let us draw near with a true heart. — Heb. 10 : 22. 
A HUMBLE, lowly, contrite heart, 

Believing, true and clean ; 
Which neither life nor death can part 

From Him that dwells within : 



178 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



A heart in every thought renewed, 

And full of love divine ; 
Perfect and right, and pure and good, 

A copy, Lord, of Thine. 

Charles Wesley. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew 
a right spirit within me. 

October 13. 

The Time to Pray. 

To everything there is a season, and a time to 
every purpose under the hea ven. — Eccl. 3:1. 

When thy life is growing bright, 

With success, or with love's light, 

Then's the very time to clasp 

His dear hand with closer grasp, 

And with tender fear to pray, 

" Keep my heart, Lord, lest it stray." 

O loving Father, may I not wait until the 
storms of life have driven me into the harbor of 
Thy love, but may I rather come to Thee now 
in the time of my prosperity — to Thee who art 
the Author of all my joys. 

©dotrer 14. 

Waiting on God. 

My times are in thy hand. — Ps. 31 : 15. 

Father, I know that all my life 
Is portioned out for me ; 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



1T9 



And the changes that are sure to come, 

I do not fear to see ; 
But I ask Thee for a present mind 

Intent on pleasing Thee. 

Miss Waring. 

Thou alone knowest what is good for me ; 
Thou art Lord of all ; do, therefore, what seem- 
eth Thee best. Give to me or take from me ; 
conform ray will to Thine ! 



October IS. 

Justice of God. 

Just and true are thy ways, thou king of 
saints. — Rev. 15 : 3. 

Whate'er my God ordains is right, 

His will is ever just ; 
Howe'er He orders now my cause 
I will be still and trust. 
He is my God. 
Though dark my road, 
He holds me that I shall not fall 
Wherefore to Him I leave it all. 

S. RuDIGAST. 

Thou only, O Lord, art just; Thou only art 
holy ; wherefore in Thee shall be my confi- 
dence, and in Thee will I evermore rejoice. 



180 



WORD FOR THE LAY. 



©etcher 16. 

True Rest. 

And in that day there shall he a root of Jesse, 
and his rest shall be glorious. — Isa. 11 : 10. 

We plan, and struggle, and toil for earth, 

With selfish burdens prest ; 
But when we have ceased from our own works, 
then, 

Ah, then, we have found our rest. 

O Thou who art taking Thy rest in watchful- 
ness and care over us, in love and guidance, 
grant that we may enter into the spirit of that 
rest, and ever shun the rest of inaction, which 
tendeth to weariness of soul. 

#riober 17. 

Firmness. 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like 
men, be strong. — 1 Cor. 16 : 13. 

i 

Cast every weight aside ! 

Do battle with each sin ; 
Fight with the faithless world without, 

The faithless heart within. 

O God, enable me by Thy grace to fight the 
good right — to continue faithful unto death, 
that I may at length receive the crown of life. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



181 



October 18. 

Patience and Hope. 

It is good that a man should both hope and 
quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. — Lam. 
3 : 26. 

Learn to wait — hope's slow fruition ; 

Faint not, though the way seems long ; 
There is joy in each condition, 

Hearts, through suffering, may grow strong. 

Help us, O Lord, to the attainment of that 
patience which sits not with folded hands await- 
ing consummation of hopes, but which ever 
works in calm trustfulness, leaving all results to 
Thee. 

©cfober 19. 
Increase. 

There is that scatter eth, and yet increaseth. — ■ 
Prov. 11 : 24. 

Tis by defeat we conquer, 
Grow rich by growing poor ; 

And, from our largest givings, 
We draw our fullest store. 

O God, give me grace to do my best ; then am 
I sure of Thy blessing, whether my power to do 
good be great or little. 



182 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



©ctobcr 20. 

Ungrudging Service, 

Serve him with a perfect heart, and with a will- 
ing mind. — 1 Chron. 28 : 9. 

Count well, count well the cost, 

Nor grudge to pay ; 
Be it reproach, or toil, or pain, or strife, 
Be it the loss of all — gold, fame and life — 

The end is day ! 

Bonar. 

0 that I could serve Thee all the days of my 
life. O that for one day only I could serve 
Thee wholly as I ought ! Truly Thou art worthy 
of all service, of all honor, yea of eternal praise. 

October 21. 
Gladness. 

The joy of the Lord is your strength. — Neh. 
8 : 10. 

It is Thy joy alone, alone Thy joy 

That gladdens me ; 
And for that joy of Thine, that gladdening joy, 

1 come to Thee. 

Bonar. 

O Lord, may I never look upon Thee as a 
severe Judge, who carest not for the joys of 
Thy people — but remembering that Thou art 
the Creator of all happiness, may it be my care 
to take pleasure only in such things as I may 
bring to Thee, asking Thee to bless. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



183 



October 22. 
Reason of Afflictions. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a mo- 
ment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory. — 2 Cor. 4 : IT. 

If Thou hadst not 

Been stern to me, 

But left me free, 
I had forgot 

Myself and Thee. 

Bex Jqnson. 

I give Thee thanks, O Father of mercies ! that 
Thou hast not spared the evil that is in me ; but 
hast humbled my nature by severe chastise- 
ments — Thy chastisement is upon me, let Thy 
rod teach me wisdom. 

©rfokr 23. 
Confidence. 

Trust in the Lord udth all thine heart. — Prov. 
3 : 5. 

Sad, aching eyes, that through the mists of 
sorrow, 

See all things by your blindness rendered dim, 
Grief lasts to-day, but joy shall come to-morrow, 
Look up ! and trust in Him ! 

O God of all grace and mercy, who art able to 
supply every loss, to heal every wound, to dry 
up every tear, and to dispel every cloud ; grant 



184 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



that when my sorrows abound., my consolations 
may much more abound. May I be still, and 
know that Thou art God, acknowledging Thy 
right to do with me as Thou wiliest, and con- 
fiding in the wisdom and goodness of Thy dis- 
pensations. 

(Sctofor 24. 
God's Constancy. 
Iam the Lord. I change not. — Mal. 3 : 6. 

O Lord ! my heart is sick, 

Sick of this everlasting change ; 
And life runs tediously quick 

Through its unresting race and varied range. 
Change finds no likeness in itself to Thee ; 
And wakes no echo in Thy mute Eternity. 

Faber. 

0 Lord. I bless and praise Thee for that Thy 
promises endure. 

That Thy mercy is everlasting. 
That Thy love is unchangeable. 
That Thou art ever the same God, loving, 
helping, and comforting Thy people. 

©ttober 23. 
Godliness. 

1 had rather he a door-keeper in the house of my 
God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. — 
Ps. 84 : 10. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



185 



This would I be, and would none other be — 
But a religious servant of my God ; 

And know there is none other God but He, 
And willingly to suffer mercy's rod, 

Joy in His grace, and live but in His love, 
And seek my bliss but in the world above. 

Nicholas Breton. 

Come, Holy Spirit, and bring from heaven a 
ray of Thy light ! Come, Thou Father of the 
poor, Thou giver of gifts, Thou light of the 
world, the blessed Comforter, the dear guest of 
the soul and its sweetest refreshment ; Thou, 
our repose in labor, our coolness in heat, our 
comfort in affliction. O most blessed Spirit, fill 
the hearts of Thy faithful people. 

October 26. 

All Service Accepted. 

We are unprofitable servants. — Luke 17 : 10. 

I am ashamed, dear Lord, they are so few; 

Yet do I know Thy pitying love perceives — 
Searching this heart of mine all through and 
through — 
Not what I did, but what I tried to do ; 
Accept my sheaves ! 

Mrs. M. S. Walker. 

Thou wilt not spurn our humble offerings, O 
Father, poor, and scant, and unworthy though 
they be. O grant us strength that we may yet 
bring Thee better sheaves. Amen, 



186 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



©richer 27. 

Our Rest. 

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people 
of God. — Heb. 4 : 9. 

From unrealities, 

From hollow scenes of change, 

From ache and emptiness, 

Pass over to thy rest, 

The rest of God. 

Bonar. 

We thank Thee that Thou art preparing for 
us that rest — other things pass away, but Thou 
dost not pass away. Other things are changing, 
but Thou dost not change. Time has broken 
down familiar things, but there remaineth a rest 
upon which time has no power. 

We thank Thee, O Lord, for that rest. 

©rickr 28. 

God's Justice. 

Thou art just in all that is brought upon us ; 
for thou hast done right. — ]STeh. 9 : 33. 

He took them from me, one by one, 

The things I set my heart upon. 

Oh ! did they come, they and their love, 

Between me and my Lord above ? 

Were they as idols in my breast ? 

It may be: God in heaven knows best. 

F. H. Marr. 



WORD FOB THE DAY. 



187 



O God, who scourgest our faults with strokes 
of love, in order to cleanse us from our iniqui- 
ties ; grant us both to profit by Thy chastening, 
and speedily to rejoice in Thy consolation, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

October 29. 

Our Master. 

Know ye not that . . . ye are not your own. — 1 
Cor. 6 : 19. 

He that beholds all from on high 
Knows better what to do than I. 
I'm not mine own ; should I repine 
If He dispose of what's not mine ? 

Henry More. 

Take possession, O Jesus, of Thy right in my 
soul . . . and root out all self-righteousness, 
self-interest, and self-will ; that Thou mayest be 
my righteousness, and all in me. 

October 30. 

Vigilance. 

And what I say unto you, I say unto alt, 
Watch.— Mark 13 : 37. 

" Watch, for ye know not the hour ! " 

Suppose that He should come 
And find that you were not watching, 

Or thinking of going home : 



188 



WO ED FOR THE DAY. 



With all the house ungarnished, 
And all the lights grown dim ; 

Suppose He should knock unheeded, 
And no welcome ready for Him ! 

Sophie Downing. 

Make us, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, 
watchful and heedful in awaiting the coming of 
Thy son, Christ our Lord : that when He shall 
come and knock He may find us, not sleeping 
in sins, but awake and rejoicing in His praises ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 

©ctobrr 31. 

Love Fulfillment of Law. 

Bear ye ons another s burdens, and so fulfil the 
law of Christ — G al. 6:2. 

We all are weak, and all are strong ; 
Patience righteth every wrong, 
All good things the will must task, 
All achievements patience ask ; 
Chiefly with each other's weakness 
Need we patience, love, and meekness, 
Who taketh ill another's ill 
Beareth two loads up the hill. 

O Christ, who not only madest the law, but 
didst, in Thine own person, fulfill it, grant that 
we, following in Thy steps, may imitate Thy 
holy example, showing a spirit of love and help- 
fulness to every one with whom we come in con- 
tact from day to day. 



WORD FOE THE DAY. 



189 



Mobember 1. 
God's Tender Care. 

And even to your old age I am he : and even to 
hoar hairs will I carry you : I have made and I 
will tear. — ISA. 46 : 4. 

So I sit to-night in the waning light, 
And my life sinks low with the setting sun. 

My weary hands and my failing sight 
Tell me the web of my life is done. 

Give me, O Master, so good and true ! 
My wage — and some better work to do. 

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend myself, 
my spirit, soul and body. . . Guard my lying 
down and my rising up, from henceforth and 
forever. 

Mobember 2. 
Sins of the Age. 

None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for 
truth, they trust in vanity and speak lies. — Isa. 
59 : 4. 

Help, mighty God ! 

The strong man bows himself, 
The good and wise are few, 
The standard-bearers faint, 
The enemy prevails. 

Help, God of Might, 

In this Thy Church's night. 

Bonar. 

That it may please Thee to give us true re- 
pentance ; to forgive us all our sins, negligences 



190 



WORD FOB THE DAY. 



and ignorances : and to endue us with the grace 
of Thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives accord- 
ing to Thy Holy Word. 
.We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 

|tobembei 3. 
Piety. 

Godliness is 'profitable unto all things, having 
promise of the life that now is, and of that which 
is to come. — 1 Tdi. 4: 8. 

Grant me the comforts of a soul forgiven, 

And wisdom. Lord, to see 
How mortal man lives on the verge of heaven 

By living unto Thee. 

Send Thy good Spirit to direct and guide me 
in the ways and works of godliness : purify my 
affections ; enliven my devotion ; teach me how 
to pray, and how to hear, and read, and profit 
by Thy Holy Word. 

Hobcmbcr 4. 
Our Unworthiness, 

We are unprofitable servants. — Luke IT : 10. 

My soul ! what hast thou done for God ? 

Look o'er thy misspent years and see ; 
Sum up what thou hast done for God. 

And then what God hath done for thee. 

Faber. 

Forgive us the sins of our past lives. Forgive 
us that goodness is so feeble in us, and that sel- 



WOED FOR THE DAY. 



191 



fishness, pride and worldliness are so strong; 
that when we should have been fruitful under 
such teachings and influences of Christ, we are 
unfruitful. Forgive us everything that tar- 
nishes the brightness that Thou dost see in Thy 
beloved, and grant, we beseech of Thee, that we 
may have that peace which God gives to those 
whose sins are pardoned. 

Hobember 8. 

The Choice. 

Hoiv Jong halt ye between two opinions? If the 
Lord be God, follow him : but if Baal, then follow 
Mm. — 1 Kings 18 : 21. 

Nor let the body dull the soul, 

Its weakness, fears and sloth despise ; 

Man toils, and roams from pole to pole, 
To gain some earthly fleeting prize. 

The Highest Good he little cares 

To win, or striving soon despairs. 

Press on. 

Lehr. 

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, 
but to love things heavenly ; and even now, 
while we are placed among things that are pass- 
ing away, to cleave to those that shall abide ; 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 



192 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



pofambn 6. 
Lowliness. 

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the 
humble. — James 4 : 6. 

The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown 

In deepest adoration bends: 
The weight of glory bows him down 

The most, when most his soul ascends : 
Nearest the throne itself, must be 
The footstool of humility. 

Montgomery. 
O God, by whose will all things were made, 
and by whose truth they continue in being; we 
beseech Thee to keep us under Thy shelter, lest 
we be cast down from our chief happiness by 
the swellings of pride ; grant us ever to ascend 
to heaven by the steps of humility; and because 
Thou art the Fountain of life, from Thee may 
we drink what by faith we thirst for: in Thy 
light may we shine with the light of knowledge, 
and reap the fruit of righteousness in an ever- 
lasting exaltation. 

Bobnittrcr 7. 
God Near in Trouble. 
Be not far from me, for trouble is near ; for 
there is none to help. — Ps. 22 : 11. 

Go not far from me, O my strength, 

Whom all my times obey ; 
Take from me anything Thou wilt, 
But go not Thou away. 



WOBD FOE THE DAY. 



193 



And let the storm that does Thy work, 
Deal with me as it may. 

0 support me by Thy grace. Hold Thou me 
up, lest I sink. Let not the waves overwhelm 
me. 

pofrember 8. 
God's Decisions Just. 

1 know, 0 Lord, that thy judgments are right, 
and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. — 
Ps. 119: 75. 

Each anxious thought, each sleepless night, 
each unrefreshing prayer, 

Each bitter tear Thou shed'st on earth, is in 
high heaven my care ; 

Each great bereavement, shaking the founda- 
tion of Thy life, 

Each unsuccess, each calumny, and all Thy 
weary strife. 

I know that even the hours of my sufferings 
are limited by Thy providence, and Thou count- 
est them to me. Thou appointest their begin- 
ning and end. Grant that I may acquiesce with 
my whole heart in what Thou art pleased to in- 
flict, who orderest everything for the good of 
Thy creatures. 



194 



WOBD FOB THE DAY. 



Hofacmbcr 9. 
Heaven. 

God shall wipe aicay all tears from their eyes ; 
and there shall he no more death, neither sorrow 
nor crying, neither shall there be any more 
pain. — Rev. 21 : 4. 

No aching hearts are there, 

No tear-dimmed eye, no form by sickness 
wasted, 

Xo cheek grown pale through penury or care, 
No spirits crushed beneath the woes they bear, 
No sighs for bliss un tasted. 

O Lord, grant that the thought of eternal joy 
may not lull me into present rest, but rather 
quicken me to holiness and zeal. 

§lofrembei 10. 

All Work Useful. 

Those members of the body which seem to be more 
feeble, are necessary. — 1 Cor. 12 : 22. 

Perhaps for aught of good I am unfit, 
Most worthless and most useless all : 

Yet make me but the meanest thing that lives 
Within thy Salem's wall. 

I shall be well content, my God. to be. 

Or do. or suffer aught that pleaseth Thee ; 
O cast me not away. 

BONAR. 



]VOBD FOB THE DAY. 



195 



Grant me more confidence in Thy love, O 
Father, and enable me to realize that with Thy 
blessing the work of the feeblest and weakest 
of Thy children, may be fruitful unto God. 

Ho&embcr 11. 

Sufficiency of God. 

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all 
generations. — Ps. 90 : 1. 

Thou, Lord, alone, art all thy children need, 

And there is none beside : 
From Thee the streams of blessedness proceed, 

In Thee the blest abide. 
Fountain of life and all-abiding grace, 
Our source, our centre, and our dwelling-place. 

Madame Guyon. 

O God, since Thou art my dwelling-place — 
help me by Thy holiness to be worthy of such a 
Home. 

|to6embr 12. 

Immutability of God. 

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day and 
for ever. — Heb. 13 : 8. 

I change, He changes not, 

The Christ can never die ; 
His love, not mine, the resting place, 

His truth, not mine, the tie. 



196 



WOBI) FOE THE DAY. 



We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, 
which art, and wast, and art to come. 

Hobcmbcr 13. 
Holiness. 

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I 
seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the 
Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty 
of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. — Ps. 
27 : 4. 

I BARGAIN not for blessing, 
I leave that to Thy will ; 

But keep me from transgressing, 
Oh keep me faithful still. 

Oh keep me true to Thee, 

Unchanged in fervent loyalty. 

' BONAR. 

O God, who hast called me to holiness, give 
me a firm faith in Thy power, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, that by His assistance I may get 
the mastery over all my sins and corruptions ; 
that I may be redeemed from all iniquity; that 
I may be holy, as He who has called me is holy. 

Hofrcmlxr 14. 
Energy. 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do. do it with 
thy might. — Eccl. 9 : 10. 

"All must be earnest in a world like ours," 
If we would gain a home in worlds on high ; 
If we aspire to joys which never die, 

We must engage our best, our chiefest powers. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



197 



0 God . . . deliver us from all sloth in Thy 
work, all coldness in Thy cause ; and grant us, 
by looking unto Thee, to rekindle our love, and 
by waiting upon Thee to renew our strength. 

Ifafambcr IS. 
Christ's Coming. 

1 am come that they might have life, and that 
they might have it more abundantly. — John 10 : 10. 

Once He came in blessing 
All our ills redressing — 
Came in likeness lowly, 
Son of God most holy; 
Bore the Cross to save us, 
Hope and freedom gave us. 

Still He comes within us ; 
Still His voice would win us 
From the sins that hurt us, 
Would to Truth convert us 
From our foolish errors, 
Ere He comes in terrors. 

Michael Weiss. 

' Come, Lord Jesus, and purify our hearts. 
Sanctify us — perfect us in Thee. 

|totamber 16. 

Eternity of Life. 

The Lord commanded the blessing, even life for- 
evermore. — Ps. 133 : 3. 



198 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



We feel our immortality o'ersweep 

All time, all tears, all pain, all fears, 
Pealing like the eternal thunders of the deep, 
This truth into our ears — 
Ye live forever. 
O Lord, grant us so to live, that the thought; 
of Eternity be to us not terrible, but joyful ever- 
more. 

Hobember 17. 
The Use of Suffering. 

It is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that 

1 might learn thy statutes. — Ps. 119 : 71. 

Not in each shell the diver brings to air 
Is found the priceless pearl; but only where 
Mangled and torn, and bruised well-nigh to death, 
The wounded oyster draws its laboring breath. 
O tried and suffering soul, gauge here your 
gain ; 

The pearl of patience is the fruit of pain. 

O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto Thee 
forever. 

Hobember 18. 
Acquiescence, 

Do all things without murmurings. — Philip 

2 : 14. 

Yield not to ceaseless, vain regrets ! 

It is no balm for woe ; 
It cannot close the hidden spring, 

From whence the withering flow. 



WORD FOR THE DAY, 



199 



Forget not that afflictions deep 
By God's own grace are sent ; 

The one most precious is refined; 
For water — rock was rent. 

O Lord, I will whatsoever Thou wiliest ; I will 
because Thou wiliest ; I will in that manner 
Thou wiliest ; I will as long as Thou wiliest. 

<Hokmkr 19. 
The Furnace of Affliction. 
Perfect through sufferings. — Heb. 2 : 10. 

He comes, and lays my heart, all heated, 

On the hard anvil, minded so 
Into His own fair shape to beat it, 

With His great hammer, blow on blow. 
And yet I whisper, As God will, 
And at His heaviest blows hold still, 

Julius Sturm. 

Give me patience, O Lord, if only this once. 
Assist me, O my God, and then I will not fear, 
however grievously I be afflicted. 

Jpofomber 20. 

The Universal Brotherhood. 

Have we not all one Father f hath not one God 
created us. — Mal. 2:10. 

My brethren, friends, and kinsmen these, 
Who do my Heavenly Father's will ; 

Who aim at perfect holiness, 
And all Thy counsels to 'fulfill, 



200 



WORD FOR THE BJLY. 



Athirst to be whate'er Thou art, 

And love their God with all their heart. 

May the Lord kindle in our hearts the fire of 
His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. 
Amen, 

Robemte 21. 

The Lord Chooses Aright. 

Your Father hnoweth what things ye have need 
of \ before ye ask him. — Matt. 6 : 8. 

For His great love hath compassed 

Our nature and our need. 
We know not, but He knoweth, 

And He will bless indeed. 
Therefore, O Heavenly Father, 

Give what is best to me, 
And take the wants unanswered 

As offerings made to Thee. 

O Lord, our God, who alone foreseest and be- 
stowest things needful for our salvation ; do 
Thou both bestow, we pray Thee, on our souls 
the hearty desire of imploring Thy mercy, and 
graciously vouchsafe us what will be for oui 
good ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

pobjemtai 22. 

The Lord our Strength. 

Be strong and of a good courage ; be not afraid, 
neither be thou dismayed : for the Lord thy God is 
with thee whithersoever thou goest* — Josh. 1 : 9. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



201 



Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, 
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid ; 
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee 
to stand, 

Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand. 

G. Keith. 

I am all weakness, Thou art Might ; in Thee I 
may be almighty over myself. In Thee I can do 
all things. Let me not think, then, of my own 
weakness, save to trust in Thy Strength. Let 
my weakness ever recall to me Thy strength. 

Hobembn" 23. 
Patient Continuance. 
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. — 
2 Thess. 3 : 13. 

Fill up each hour with what will last ; 

Buy up the moments as they go ; 
The life above, when this is past, 
Is the ripe fruit of life below. 
Bless me in all my ways, and make me a bless- 
ing to others. Enable me to do some good this 
day ; and in all I say or do, give me an eye single 
to Thy glory. 

Hobember 24. 
The Holy Home. 

This day is salvation come to this house. — Luke 
19 : 9. 

O happy house ! and happy servitude ! 
Where all alike one Master own ; 



202 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Where daily duty, in Thy strength pursued, 
Is never hard nor toilsome known ; 

Where each one serves Thee, meek and lowly, 
Whatever Thine appointment be, 

Till common tasks seem great and holy, 
When they are done as unto Thee. 

Spitta. 

Almighty and everlasting God, be Thou pres- 
ent to our duties, and grant the protection of 
Thy presence to all that dwell in this house : 
that Thou mayest be known to be the defender 
of Thy family, and the inhabitant of this dwell- 
ing ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^okmbcr 25. 

The Bounties of God. 

0 Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom 
hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy 
riches.— Ps. 104 : 24. 

O Thou of all goodness the source and the 
cause, 

O Thou of all blessings the end, 
The seasons, fulfilling Thy wondrous laws 

To boundless beneficence tend. 
Let the chorus of hills wake a glorious strain, 

Let the autumn respond to the spring, 
Let the nations rejoice in the harvest again, 

And endless beneficence sing. 

Praised be the Lord daily, even the Lord that 
helpeth us and poureth His blessings upon us. 



WORD FOB THE DAT. 



203 



Blessed be the name of His Majesty forever, and 
let all the earth be filled with His glory. 

|lofamber 26. 

A Thankful Spirit. 

Godliness with contentment is great gain. — 1 
Tim. 6 : 6. 

Some murmur when their sky is clear, 

And wholly bright to view, 
If one small speck of dark appear 

In their great heaven of blue. 
And some with thankful love are filled, 

If but one streak of light, 
One ray of God's good mercy, gild 

The darkness of their night. 

Trench. 

Gracious God, who hast taught us by Thy 
holy word that it is a joyful and a pleasant thing 
to be thankful ; give me grace, I beseech Thee, 
to be truly and sincerely thankful for all Thy 
mercies from time to time bestowed upon me, 
and grant that I may use all Thy gifts and mer- 
cies to set forth Thy glory. Through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Itobmtbcr 27. 

Overflowing Blessings. 

The living God . . . giveth us richly all things 
to enjoy. —1 Tim. 6 : 17. 



204 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Oh ! bring we then all sweet and gracious things, 
To touch the lives that lie so chill and drear, 
That they may dream of some diviner sphere, 

Whence each soft ray of love and beauty 
springs. 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that ... we may 
feel that we receive everything from Thee as a 
grace, as a gift undeserved ; and that, conscious 
of living upon Thee, we may learn to lean 
toward our fellow-men, and in our small meas- 
ure endeavor to reflect upon them from our- 
selves the same charity. Amen, 

Itobember 28. 

Thankfulness. 

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also mur- 
mured. — 1 Cor. 10 : 10. 

Teach me to live ! my daily cross to bear, 
Nor murmur though 1 bend beneath its load, 

Only be with me ; let me feel Thee near ; 
Thy smile sheds gladness on the darkest road. 

Parish Visitor. 

O God, who chastisest us in Thy love, and 
refreshest us amid Thy chastening ; grant that 
we may ever be able to give Thee thanks for 
both ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



205 



^otrember 29. 
Praise. 
God our strength. — Ps. 81 : 1. 

How great a being, Lord, is Thine, 

Which doth all beings keep ! 
Thy knowledge is the only line 

To sound so vast a deep. 
Thou art a sea without a shore, 

A sun without a sphere ; 
Thy time is now and evermore, 

Thy place is everywhere. 

John Mason. 

O Lord, my God, Thou art very great. . . O 
Lord, how manifold are Thy works ! in wisdom 
hast Thou made them all : the earth is full of 
Thy riches. 

^ofaembtr 30. 

Repentance. 

Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before 
thee. — Luke 15 : 18. 

Of sins, that as a cloud have hid Thy face, 
Of Thy care slighted, and Thy grieved face, 

Lord, I repent ; accept my tears and grief, 
In love which puts sin's envious veil aside, 
Rending the veil of flesh which for me died, 

Lord, I believe : help Thou mine unbelief. 

Make us, O Lord, to abhor our own evils with 
our whole hearts ; that at the coming of Thy 



206 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



Son, our Lord, we may be enabled to receive His 
good things, through the same Jesus Christ, our 
Lord. 

December 1. 

The Greatness of God. 

Behold God is mighty. . . He is mighty in 
strength and wisdom. — Job 36 : 5. 

Thou art wise ; before Thee stand 
Hidden things unveiled to Thee, 

Countest up the grains of sand, 
Fathomest the deepest sea. 

And Thou knowest well how blind, 
Dark and crooked is my mind ; 

Give me wisdom, in Thy light 

Let me please my God aright. 

Paul Gerhardt. 

O Lord, give Thy servant an understanding 
heart. 

December 2. 

Perfected Knowledge. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly ; hut then 
face to face ; now I know in part ; hut then shall I 
know, even as also I am known. — 1 Cor. 13 : 12. 

I am Thine, not mine — 
One day, completed into Thine intent, 
I shall be able to discourse with Thee ; 
For Thy idea, gifted with a self, 
Must be of one with the mind whence it sprung, 
And fit to talk with Thee about Thy thoughts.. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



207 



In the hope of that blessed eternity of knowl- 
edge, help me, O Lord, to work faithfully, even 
though ignorant of Thy designs. Amen. 

geumber 3. 

The Breaker. 

The breaker is come up before them. — Mic. 2 : 13. 

Break down my self-sufficient pride, 
And let me at Thy feet abide ; 
And there adore Thee, mighty Lord, 
Who never, never, break'st Thy word. 

Shatter my idols, O Lord, 
Destroy my self-love, 
Overcome my sins, 
And build me up anew in Thee. 

Becember 4. 
The Ever-living God. 

I know that my redeemer liveth. — Job 19 : 25. 

He lives, as He once lived on earth, 

The Friend — compassionate and true ! 
No pleading prayer, but He still hears ; 

No sorrow but He helps us through ! 
Are any tempted? He is near ! 

Is sin a burden ? He forgives ! 
O hope that ages have not dimmed — 

I know that my Redeemer lives. 

Grant, O Lord, that I may never think of 
Thee as of a God far distant, hard to be reached, 
hard to. be entreated, but as the Maker of all 



208 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



things living. Life of my life. Source of my joys, 
my Helper, and my ever-loving, ever-present 
Friend. 

|Bctcrabcr 5. 

Acceptable Gifts. 

For the Lord seeth not as man seeth : for man 
lookezh on the outward appearance, but the Lord 
looketh on the heart. — 1 Sam. 16 : 7. 

Vainly we offer each ample oblation, 

Vainly with gold would His favor secure. 

Richer by far is the heart's adoration, 

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. 

Heber. 

O Lord, help us to remember that Thou wilt 
have mercy and not sacrifice — and help us to 
give to Thee that which Thou lovest. 

Ipmmber 6. 
Trust. 

What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt 
know hereafter. — John 13 : 7. 

Between the mysteries of death and life 
Thou standest, loving, guiding, not explain- 
ing ; 

We ask, and Thou art silent ; yet we gaze, 
And our charmed hearts forget their drear 
complaining. 
No crushing faith, no stony destiny, 
O Lamb that hast been slain, we find in Thee. 

H. B. Stowe. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



209 



Grant, O Lord, that we may wait with patient 
trustfulness until the moment when, trained to 
understand Thee, we shall hear the explanation 
of all that now so sorely perplexes us. Enable 
us to realize that it is Love alone which refuses 
to give to us that which we could not now re- 
ceive, and on that Love may we rest in peace 
and calm assurance. 

December 7. # 

The Harvest. 

He which soweth sparingly shall reap also 
sparingly. — 2 Cor. 9 : 6. 

What hast Thou wrought for Right and Truth, 

For God and Man, 
From the golden hours of bright-eyed youth 

To life's midspan ? 

O God, ever blessed and holy ; ... on us as 
we look up to the light of Thy countenance, 
the shadows of shameful remembrance fall ; 
and to all Thy mercies we must still answer 
with a cry for more. . . Visit us with the wrest- 
lings of Thy Spirit, and lay on us the Cross, if we 
may but grow into the holiness of Christ. 

gecemkr 8. 

Brotherly Love. 

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light , 
and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. — 
1 John 2 : 10. 



210 



VTOBD FOE THE DAY. 



Oh, let Thy love our pattern be, 
Let Thy mercy teach one brother 
To forgive and love another ; 
That, copying Thy mercy here, 
Thy goodness may hereafter rear 
Our souls unto Thy glory, when 
Our dust shall cease to be with men. 

Jeremy Taylor. 

Give us grace to imitate Thy goodness, that 
we may forgive, and give, and love, as becomes 
the disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Brcnnbrr 9. 
Our Pitiful Father. 

Like as a father pit ieth his children, so the Lord 
pitieth them that fear him. — Vs. 103 : 13. 
If vexing thoughts within me rise, 
And sore dismayed my spirit dies, 
Still He, who once vouchsafed to bear 
The sickening anguish of despair, 
Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry 
The throbbing heart, the streaming eye. 

Sir Robert Grant. 
Come, O blessed Spirit . . . uphold my soul 
in even* time of trouble or adversity. Amen. 

Jleambet 10. 
Rest after Labor. 
. . . The day that the Lord shall give thee rest 
from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the 
hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. — 
ISA. 14 : 3. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



211 



Joy springs from sorrow, virtue from tempta- 
tion, 

And daily death is but a happier birth ; 
Then comes our Sabbath of regeneration, 
Uniting heaven forevermore with earth. 

God of all grace . . . Make me watchful 
against temptation, strong in faith, diligent in 
duty, patient in trial, and fervent in prayer. 
And in Thine own good time may I be permit- 
ted to enter into that rest which remaineth for 
the people of God. 

Secembtr 11. 

True Service. 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth 
them, he it is that loveth me : and he that loveth 
me shall be loved of my father ^ and I will love 
him, and will manifest myself to him. — John 14 : 
21. 

The gospel hath for him no ban 
Who doeth the Saviour's word ; 

Who loveth God and serveth man 
Is one with Christ our Lord. 

Grant, Lord, that I may not set up my judg- 
ments against Thine, nor ever in my thoughts 
even, condemn any whom Thou mayest see to 
be more truly loving than I, Amen. 



212 



WORD FOR THE DAT. 



§ cumber 12. 
The Victory Sure. 
Fight the good fight of faith. — 1 Tim. 6 : 12. 

For right is right, since God is God ; 

And right the day must win ; 
To doubt would be disloyalty, 

To falter would be sin. 

Faber. 

Confident in Thy Power, O Lord, may we 
press on with courage, and with strength. O 
uphold us, that we faint not in the hour of 
danger. 

For Thy great Name's sake. Amen. 

geamber 13. 

Right Living. 

Be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding 
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. — 
1 Cor. 15 : 58. 

You must live each day at your very best : 
The work of the world is done by few ; 
God asks that a part be done by you. 

Grant, O Lord, unto Thy servant, the spirit to 
think and to do always such things as be right- 
ful. Give me grace to trust Thee, and to feel 
assured that the path of duty is the path of true 
and lasting happiness. Teach me Thy will, and 
incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, that in 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



213 



all my works begun, continued, or ended in^ 
Thee, I may glorify Thy name, and finally, by 
Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through 
Jesus Christ, my Lord. 

3 camber 14. 
The Sympathy of Christ. 

For ice have not an high priest which cannot he 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; hut 
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet with- 
out sin. — Heb. 4 : 15. 

Thou knowest, not alone as God, all-knowing ; 
As man, our mortal weakness Thou hast 
proved ; 

On earth, with pure sympathies o'erflowing, 
O Saviour. Thou hast wept and Thou hast 
loved. 

And love and sorrow still to Thee may come, 
And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home. 

Jane Borthwick. 
O Lord, who understandest our every heart- 
throb, who knowest our temptations, and art 
witness of our struggles against them, of each 
conquest and of each yielding, to Thee we come 
for strength — knowing that Thou art more will- 
ing to give help than we are to ask it. 

Mtttmbtx 15. 

The Timid Heart. 

Ye who sometimes i cere far off, are made nigh. — 
Eph. 2 : 13. 



•214 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



My doubting heart 
Trembles with its own weakness, and afraid 

I dwell apart 
From Thee, on whom alone my hope is stayed : 
I would, and yet I do not know Thy will 

And perfect love ; am still 
Trusting myself, to be by self betrayed. 

O blessed Lord ! 
Far off, yet near, on me new grace bestow, 

As on Thy word ! 
I go to meet Thee ; even now I know 
Thou nearer art than when my quest began ; 

One cry, and Thy feet ran 
To meet me ; Lord, I will not let Thee go. 

A. D. F. Randolph. 

Lord, strengthen me in the faith. 

Srcembcr 16. 
Vigilance. 

And what I say unto you, I say unto all, 
watch. — Mark 13 : 37. 

I want a godly fear, 

A quick, discerning eye, 
That looks to Thee when sin is near, 

And sees the tempter fly. 
A spirit still prepared, 

And armed with zealous care — 
Forever standing on its guard, 

And watching unto prayer. 

Charles Wesley. 



WORD FOB THE DAY. 



215 



O Lord, let me take watchful heed to tame 
nature, to cherish grace, to keep Thy law, to 
work out my salvation. 

,9 camber 17. 
Patience. 

Let patience have Iter perfect work, that ye may 
be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. — James 
1 : 4. 

By patience man becomes more excellent, 
Fairer than gold, clear as the firmament, 
More pure from each vile element, 
In every grace more eminent. 

To Jesus more acceptable, 
More like to saints unblamable, 
To enemies more terrible, 
And to his friends more lovable. 

Thomas a Kempis. 

Grant us this most excellent gift, O Father, 
who art the source and sum of all Patience, 
bearing with our sinfulness, our murmurings 
and fretfulness, waiting calmly, helpfully for our 
amendment. 

Beamber 18. 

Our Folly, God's Wisdom. 

0 God, thou knowest my foolishness. — Ps. 69 : 5. 

My thoughts are foolish, blind and crude ; 
Thou only knowest what is good. 



216 



WORD FOB THE DAY. 



Let me bewail my past transgressions, and for 
the future resist temptation ; let me correct my 
sinful inclinations, and labor after all needful 
virtues. 

December 19. 

Importance of Each Day. 

Consecrate yourselves to-day to the Lord. — Ex. 
32 : 29. 

Little by little, sure and slow, 

We fashion our future of bliss or woe, 

As the present passes away. 
Our feet are climbing the stairway bright, 
Up to the region of endless light, 
Or gliding downward into the night, 

Little by little, and day by day. 

To this day and to all days, a perfect, holy, 
peaceful, healthy, sinless course, 
Vouchsafe, O Lord. 



December 20. 

Burden-sharing. 

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirm- 
ities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. — 
Rom. 15 : 1. 

Lift a little ! lift a little ! 

Neighbor, lend a helping hand 
To that heavy laden brother 

Who for weakness scarce can stand ; 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



217 



What to thee with thy strong muscle 
Seems a light and easy load, 

Is to him a ponderous burden, 
Cumbering his pilgrim road. 

Amy Headley, 

Grant us, Lord, keen sight to detect the needs 
of others ; tender hearts to feel for their suffer- 
ings ; quick minds to plan for their relief; 
strong arms to lift their burdens. 

Bccember 21. 

Prayer for Wisdom. 

Make me to understand the way of thy pre- 
cepts. — Ps. 119 : 27. 

And let Thy wisdom be my guide, 
Xor take Thy light from me away, 

Thy grace be ever at my side, 

That from the path I may not stray 

Which Thou dost love, but evermore 
In steadfast faith my course fulfill, 
And keep Thy word and do Thy will, 

Thy love within, Thy heaven before. 

W. C. Dessler, 

Guide us in Thy way, O Christ, and mercifully 
show the fountain of wisdom to our thirsting 
minds ; that we may be free from sorrowful 
heaviness, and may drink in the sweetness of 
life eternal. 



218 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



$8ecember 22. 

Gifts Possible to All. 

Silver and gold have I none ; but such as I have 
give I. — Acts 3:6. 

Poor indeed thou must be, if around thee 

Thou no ray of light and joy canst throw ; 
If no silken cord of love hath bound thee 

To some little world, through weal or woe ; 
If no dear eyes thy tender love can brighten, 

No fond voices answer to thine own ; 
If no brother's sorrow thou canst lighten 

By daily sympathy and gentle tone. 

H. W. List. 

O Jesus, who lovedst us infinitely, and biddest 
us love as Thou lovedst, 

Pour Thy love into our souls, that we may 
love Thee and each other, with Thine own love. 

§etember 23. 

The Lord's Mission. 

He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the 
poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, 
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recover- 
ing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that 
are bruised. Th is day is this scripture f ulfilled in 
your ears. — Luke 4 : 18, 21. 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



219 



Soon the day will be here when the Saviour was 
born, 

All the world should agree as one voice, 
All nations unite to salute the blest morn, 

All ends of the earth shall rejoice. 
Grim death is deprived of his all-killing sting, 

And the grave is triumphant no more ; 
Saints, angels, and men hallelujahs shall sing, 

And the rich shall remember the poor. 
Good Jesus, Thou hast been very tender to me ; 
Make me very tender to, and of, all who are 
Thine ; 

For love of Thy most tender love. 

December 24. 
Christmas Eve. 
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men. — Luke 2 : 14. 
Oh, by the Babe of Bethlehem, 
What answer are we making? 
Brothers are dying at our doors, 

And stricken hearts are breaking ; 
Thrice blest the deeds this Christmas-tide 

Which, selfish love expelling, 
Shall make that home a " house of bread " 
Where famine now is dwelling. 

W. Chattertox Dix. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that 
as we are bathed in the new light of Thine In- 
carnate Word, that which shines by faith in 
pur minds may blaze out likewise in our ac- 
tions ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



220 



WORD FOB THE DAT. 



§)ecembci 23, 
Christ is Born. 
Behold . I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people: for unto you is bom 
this day in the city of Da rid a Saviour, which is 
Christ the Lord. — Luke 2 : 10. 11. 

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace ! 

Hail the Sun of Righteousness ! 

Light and life to all He brings ; 

Risen with healing in His wings; 

Mild He lays His glory by. 

Born that man no more may die ; 

Born to raise the sons of earth. 

Born to give them second birth. 

Charles Wfsley. 
Grant to us, Almighty God, that as Thy Salva- 
tion, wondrous with a new and heavenly light, 
went forth on this day's festival to redeem the 
world, so it may ever beam forth in the renewal 
of our hearts ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord, 

pecembcr 26. 
The One Thing Needful. 

Seek ye first the kingdom of G-od and his right- 
eousness: and all these things shall be added unto 
you. — Matt. 6 : 33. 

In having all things, and not Thee, what have 
I ? 

Not having Thee, what have my labors got? 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



221 



Let me enjoy but Thee, what further crave I ? 

And having Thee alone, what have I not ? 
I wish nor sea, nor land, nor would 1 be 
Possessed of heaven, heaven unpossessed of 
Thee. 

Francis Quarles. 

Come, blessed Spirit, and reveal to my soul the 
exceeding great power and beauty of heavenly 
things. Teach me to love them above the pass- 
ing things of earth, and show me how I may at- 
tain to them forever, for the blessed Saviour's 
sake. Amen, 

Bctembcr 27. 

God's Orderings Wise. 

Your father knoweth what things ye have need 
of — Matt. 6 : 8. 

Even or rough my road, I go 
Sure that Thy hand protecteth ; 

The counsel of Thy love I know, 
For me that path selecteth ; 

Let life and death, then, mark the year, 

Be joy or grief my lot to bear, 
All still my good effecteth. 

Grant me a humble and resigned heart, that 
with perfect content I may ever acquiesce in all 
the methods of Thy grace, that I may never 
frustrate the designs of Thy mercy, by unreas- 
onable fears, by sloth, or self-love. Amen. 



222 



WOBD FOR THE DAY. 



Secembcr 28. 

A Sure Promise. 

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. — Deut. 
33 : 25. 

Now looking back to the long hours ended, 
I wonder why I feared them as they came ; 
Each brought the strength on which its task de- 
pended, 

And so my prayer was answered just the same. 
Now with new faith I pray, 
"Strength for each day." 

C. B. Le Ron. 

O God ! who hast sent Thine own Son into the 
world to seek and save the lost, and who hast 
prepared for them that love Thee, such good 
things as pass man's understanding, pour into 
my heart such love toward Thee, that, loving 
Thee above all things, I may obtain Thy prom- 
ises of guidance and strength in this world, and 
of )oy and happiness at Thy right hand in the 
world to come. 

Becembcr 29. 
Self-examination. 

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again 
to the Lord. — Lam. 3 : 40. 

Have I laid by from summer hours 
Ripe fruits as well as leaves and flowers ? 



WORT) FOR THE DAY. 



223 



Hath my past year a growth to harden 
As well as fewer sins to pardon ? 
Is God in all things more and more 
A King within me than before ? 

Faber. 

Our Father, grant that we may be able to sit 
in judgment upon ourselves. May we be able 
to go searching to the very bottom of our lives, 
that we may know where we stand. May we 
know where our nature hinges, where the whole 
force of our being is most found. 

And may we hear the voice of God, believe on 
Him, repent, change, so that we shall pass from 
death unto life. 

December 30. 
God's Knowledge of Us. 

Thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all 
the children of men. — 1 Kings 8 : 39. 

We are not always at our best ! 

Dear Lord, Thou knowest what was and is 

Our best, our worst, our hopes, our fears, 

Our sins and our repentant tears, 

In Thy great patience we can rest — 

Next year may make amends for this. 

Grant that T may always live and act as 
having Thee, O God, the constant witness of 
my conduct. 



224 



WORD FOR THE DAY. 



December 31. 

Progress. 

This one thing I do, forgetting those things which 
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things 
which are before, I press toward the mark for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. — 
Phil. 3 : 13, 14. 

I hold it truth, with him who sings 
To one clear harp in divers tones, 
That men may rise on stepping-stones 

Of their dead selves to higher things. 

Tennyson. 

Arise, O Lord, we beseech Thee ; and with the 
glorious might of Thy salvation in Christ Jesus, 
succor us : 

That, whereas by our sins we are surely hin- 
dered in running the race that is set before us, 
Thy grace may always abound for our speedy 
help. 



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